The flamboyant all-rounder, Hardik Pandya is raring to perform in the upcoming home series against South Africa, scheduled to commence on September 15. He worked hard during a two-month-long break. After a grueling net session, he had an exclusive interview with IANS revealed that the team is eyeing to do well in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia.

Hardik elaborated: “It was difficult and we all felt the same pain, but life moves on. I think as a team we played like champions and except for those 30 minutes, I thought we played outstandingly and everyone was contributing and looking to excel. It is just how it is at the knockout stage. We have kind of moved on and we want to focus on the next World Cup (WT20) and win that.”

India is scheduled to play a three-match T20I series against South Africa at home after which they will continue their campaign at the World Test Championship with a three-match Test series against the Proteas.

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Asked if he has any specific goals going into the series against South Africa, Pandya said he don’t have any specific goals. Pandya added, “To be honest, I don’t keep goals because I let something out of the box happen. I just focus on preparing well and focus on the areas I wish to work on. So, I let my game speak and go with the situation. You never know when my team is down and I might stand up and do something special.”

There is no denying the fact that coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Virat Kohli call Hardik as the X-factor in this team of youngsters and he feels that it increases his confidence.

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Pandya concluded, “When someone like your captain and coach backs you, the confidence increases and you look to express yourself and that brings out the best in you. I have always made sure that I understand the situation and then enjoy myself. It is always important to go out and enjoy yourself because at the end of the day it is a sport and I love the sport.”