Right from my childhood days, it was a habit for me to hit big sixes: Hardik Pandya

HARDIK PANDYA’S INCLUSION has certainly provided the team India a decent balance to its squad. After making his debut in Australia, the Gujarat all-rounder hasn’t looked back. Today, Pandya has played only a few matches for his country till now but has already made an impact with both bat and ball.

Pandya known for his big-hitting in the domestic circuit has continued his bold approach in international cricket too and after his belligerent hitting (18 ball 31) in yesterday’s match against Bangladesh in the opening game of Asia Cup T20, the 22-year-old has earned rich praises from his skipper.

At the moment, Pandya is brimming with confidence and certainly looks promising to cement his place as the attacking all-rounder in the Indian squad.

As reported by BCCI.TV, Pandya spoke about his natural ability to hit the long balls into the stands.

"This is my style of play and this is how I have been playing my cricket. I have never been sent in by the team as a pinch-hitter. I believe I am a proper batsman. That is why I am not told by anyone to bat in a particular way. It is a good thing that I am able to score at that pace which is something that the team requires from me."

"I don't really know how and where I got my big hitting capabilities from. But, right from my childhood days, it was a habit for me to hit big sixes. I always had this urge to send the ball out of the boundary be it any tournament."

"Even when I was 16 or 17 and finding my way into competitive cricket, hitting sixes was something that I always wanted to do. Even at that age, I would back myself and follow my instincts. If I would feel that I have to hit the first ball for a six, I would go for it. That is the way I have played and that is the way I play even now. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but that is the way it goes." 

Pandya further added that although he doesn’t have any cricketing idol, he would like to emulate the consistency of AB de Villiers and captain Dhoni going ahead.

"I have never had a role model when it comes to hitting sixes but I just look at great players like our captain MS Dhoni and AB de Villiers and other big hitters in the world. I would want to get the consistency that these two players have.”