Stand-in Team India head coach VVS Laxman applauded Hardik Pandya’s calm demeanour as a leader and termed him a “players’ captain” before the three-match T20I series against New Zealand starting on November 18. However, he is all set to lead India for the third time, with senior players being rested as well.
Lauding Pandya’s ability, Laxman said in a press conference ahead of the T20I series: “He is a fabulous leader. We have seen what he has done with Gujarat Titans in the IPL. Taking leadership in the first year of the franchise in the tournament, and winning the league is not a mean achievement. I have spent a lot of time with him since the Ireland series, he is just not only tactically sound, but he is very calm on the field and that is something which is very important at the highest level.”
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VVS Laxman further added: “There would be situations when you would be under pressure and that is when you are required to be calm as a leader. Also, his presence in the dressing room, and his work ethics are exemplary. The way he leads the side both on and off the field is fabulous. I think he is a players’ captain, he is very approachable. All the players go up to him and confide with him. I think that is something which I really like about Hardik, and he leads by example both on and off the field.”
However, Hardik Pandya has been on the radar to take over as Team India’s full-time T20 captain when Rohit Sharma steps aside. Meanwhile, the think tank is looking to bring a new approach, mentality-wise when it comes to the T20 format.
VVS Laxman said: “I think T20 cricket requires playing with a lot of freedom and clarity of thought. And how much time I have spent with these guys and watching them grow over the years into wonderful international cricketers, I think that is their strength. In T20 cricket, you are required to play with a fearless attitude but at the same time, it is important to assess the conditions and situations and fulfill the needs of the team. It is important to be flexible. I think in T20 cricket, you are required to express yourself and that is when you will be successful. I think T20 cricket has shown us over the years that the more amount of multi-dimensional players you have, the better for the team. You have bowlers who can bat, and batters who can bowl, and that is the way forward.”
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“That has already been proven in T20 cricket, the more number of bowlers who can bat will add depth to the team and it allows a lot of freedom for the batters to express themselves. That is the need for the format and I am sure more and more teams will try to get that into their selection process and identify players who are multi-dimensional players,” VVS Laxman concluded.
