The boos and negativity surrounding Hardik Pandya during the IPL seem like a distant memory now that he’s back in the familiar blue of the Indian jersey. His recent struggles on the field, both with the bat and ball, were undeniable. However, reuniting with his Indian teammates for the T20 World Cup appears to have reignited his spark.
Hardik Pandya has been a standout performer for India in every match played so far in New York, including the warm-up game against Bangladesh. In just two matches, the Indian vice-captain has already made a significant impact with the ball, claiming five crucial wickets. His resurgence has delighted Indian bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, who believes Pandya has rediscovered his lost rhythm.
“One thing I’m sure about is that he has confidence in his ability,” Paras Mhambrey told the media on the eve of the India vs. USA fixture. “Sometimes there’s no rhythm in a tournament, despite trying repeatedly. It takes time. I think that was a phase [in the IPL] where the rhythm was missing.”
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Paras Mhambrey emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive work ethic, even in challenging periods.
“Had he not worked on that, it would have been a little worrisome,” he said. “But one thing for sure, his work ethic was going on the same as before. So, if that is going on with him then after one or two matches, the bowler finds the rhythm.”
Paras Mhambrey lauded Pandya’s commitment to practice and experience: “Because he has done a lot of bowling, he has a lot of understanding about his bowling. So, he was sure that if his work ethic was going on, he was bowling in the nets regularly then everything would fall in place. And you can see, what he’s doing now as a bowler.”
While India heads into the match against the USA as favorites, Paras Mhambrey cautions against complacency. “You can’t take any game lightly,” he stressed. “This is a World Cup where every game matters. Your rhythm is important. Winning is a habit that you need to get into early. So, for us, it’s going to be like any other game.”
Paras Mhambrey expressed confidence in India’s ability to adapt to the New York conditions.
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“It’s like we played Pakistan, like we played Ireland,” India’s bowling coach said. “It’s going to be a similar game for us. We are used to the conditions like these. I think we played enough out here. We know what kind of a wicket it is. And purely with the experience that we have, you expect to overcome that.”
With Pandya back in form and India’s winning momentum, the upcoming clash against the USA promises to be an exciting encounter.
