The BCCI during its review meeting in Mumbai on Sunday didn’t dwell on the T20 captaincy issue and instead focused on the ODI World Cup later this year.
However, it is almost certain that Hardik Pandya will be announced as India’s regular T20 captain once the new selection committee is in place.
As Pandya begins his journey in the New Year, his message to the team has been clear: “Go out there and express (yourself), we’re going to back you to the core.”
Pandya urged the players to express themselves on the field and that he would back them. “You see before the T20 World Cup, I don’t think we did anything wrong,” Hardik said in Mumbai, a day before the series opener against Sri Lanka. “Our template, approach, everything was the same. Yes, in the World Cup, things did not go how we wanted.
“And I think our approach was not the same — what it was before the World Cup. What we have noticed and told the boys is that just go out there and express (yourself), which they will do. And it’s up to us that how we back them.
“What we have said is that we’re going to back you to the core. All the players have that support from my side that I’m going to back them to the core. Who are here, these are the best cricketers in the country, that’s the reason they are here.
“So, I have to make them believe that. For me, it’s important that how can I make them feel that they’re the best of their business. And if I can get that thing done, and can get that confidence in them, then I don’t think that they will have any problem in international cricket,” Pandya said.
“Obviously, the plans are set. We are looking to play in a certain way, which we will... Before IPL only six games are there, so we don’t have much time to do a lot of things but going forward we will keep creating new plans and see which are working for us.”
Asked about his New Year’s resolution, Pandya said it was to win the ODI World Cup at home in October-November. “The biggest is to win the World Cup. I don’t think any bigger resolution can be there. Really want to win the World Cup, which we will try to do everything possible in our capacity... to go out there and give everything,” he said.
Pandya said they had an upper hand in home conditions, and wasn’t looking to settle any scores after their loss to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.
“No, we’re not looking to settle anything,” Hardik said. “We want to play good cricket. Yes, we will make them feel like we’re in India, don’t worry about that... they will feel that they’re playing an international team and that too India in India. So from my boys and my side, we’re going to be clear. We don’t need to go and sledge them, our body language is enough for them to feel a little intimidated.”
Pandya promised that a serious prospect like Umran Malik would certainly get his share of chances. “Obviously, he has pace. Everyone knows how much of an exciting prospect he is. We will give him enough opportunities.”
