Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya didn’t answer on the side not playing in Pakistan after winning the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Dubai. Despite Pakistan hosting the tournament, India played all their matches in Dubai after refusing to travel to Pakistan for security reasons as well.
Talking to the reporters after the final, Pandya said (via Indian Express), “This team enjoys each other’s company and success. It is not an individually driven team. It’s Team India. We all believe that everyone can finish the game or do something magical. I am sure Pakistani people living in Dubai must have enjoyed our performance. The question of why we didn’t go is way above my pay grade.”
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“We have all come together for one goal; if you score zero, it doesn’t matter as long as the team is winning. I have always played cricket to win. This is not just a dialogue. I have always put the team above myself. It doesn’t matter if Hardik Pandya does well or not, but the team must do well. This mindset has helped me face hardships and taught me not to run away from challenges. If challenges are tough, throw punches. Keep fighting. Don’t leave the battlefield. If you give up, you won’t learn and grow. t’s like fielding; if you dive, you will be able to stop the ball. If you don’t, you will never understand the outcome,” he stated.
Hardik Pandya also shared his love for bowling in recent times and how it leads to his stunning shows with the bat. He also picked up four wickets in the 2025 Champions Trophy as well. Hardik also scored almost 100 runs despite batting at No. 7 with a strike rate of over 106 as well.
“Lately, bowling has become very close to my heart. If Hardik Pandya is bowling, then I don’t have to worry about my batting. My bowling takes care of my batting. I have liked hitting sixes since I was 14 years old. But back then, I didn’t have the strength. Now I have the power. The years of hard work are paying off at the right time,” concluded Hardik Pandya.
