New Zealand Tour Is For Youngsters To Express Themselves: Hardik Pandya

Wellington: The first T20I between India and New Zealand was called off due to rain in Wellington on Friday.

Indian skipper Hardik Pandya said the Men in Blue were excited to play and stated that this tour will help the youngsters get opportunities and express themselves.

“Boys were quite excited to play. New Zealand is a great country, a great place to play. Unfortunately to not get a game. A lot of people came quite early as well, we were excited but this is something we as professional cricketers need to accept,” said Pandya in the post-match presentation.

“I know the other boys will follow exactly what the management and captain would say, they are all professionals. These guys are young by age, but not by experience. They have played plenty of IPL (matches) and got good amount of Internationals as well.”

“I think the youngsters of today don’t get intimidated by not having played too much cricket. If the situation demands, me and the more experienced players will play different roles, but this tour is for the new guys to get more clarity, opportunities and a chance to express themselves. The World Cup is done, I’ve left it behind. The disappointment will be there, but we can’t go back and change things. We’re now looking forward to this series,” he added.

Indian batter Shubman Gill said that hitting sixes is about timing the ball. “I have been able to execute a few things I have been practicing. I have always felt hitting sixes is not about power, it’s about timing. If I am getting that right, I know I can hit sixes,” Gill told Prime Video.

“I have always looked to score (runs) rather than look to (hit) fours or sixes. I want to play less dot balls, keep ticking (whether it’s) singles, doubles. It’s more about you being able to wait and swing in the line of the ball rather than swinging hard at the ball.”

Recalling his memory of winning the U19 World Cup in 2018 and making his ODI debut in New Zealand, the 23-year-old said: “I came here for the U19 World Cup. Made my ODI debut here in 2019. Good to come back, feels good. Definitely, I have fond memories coming back to New Zealand. Whenever I know I’ll be going to New Zealand, it brings a smile.”