Hardik Pandya and the relentless pursuit of an all-rounder – The Instances of India

TimesofIndia.com in Dubai: Practically an hour after placing within the exhausting yards, Arshdeep Singh put his hoodie on and sipped a scorching beverage whereas strolling across the change room on the ICC Academy in Dubai. He had had an intensive warm-up, participated within the fielding drill and bowled full tilt for round 45 minutes earlier than placing his ft up.
Not removed from him stood Hardik Pandya, who adopted an identical routine, however was solely half finished. The all-rounder swiftly unpacked his kitbag after the hydration break and inside no time had the batting gear on. He walked into the nets and smoked deliveries proper out of the center of his blade whereas going through a mixture of spin, seam and throwdowns. It wasn’t a one-off however one thing which he has adopted in every of India’s apply classes throughout the Champions Trophy.
Pandya is one-of-a-kind!
He can stroll into any worldwide limited-overs XI on his batting or bowling expertise alone and the final couple of weeks have given a sneak peek into how he stays razor sharp. There is a handy narrative in opposition to the all-rounder that he’s damage susceptible, cannot deal with a number of workload, has a fragile physique however he continues to be the clutch participant any captain would welcome with open arms.
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A whole lot of effort goes behind conserving the skill-set and health ranges excessive and the 31-year-old has solely turn into extra cautious about his routines after the again surgical procedure and the freak damage throughout the 2023 ODI World Cup. A participant begins understanding his physique higher after bouts like these and that has been the case with Pandya too. The self-discipline and exhausting yards usually are not restricted to his coaching classes or match routines however have trickled all the way down to his general way of life.

There was an added emphasis on food regimen, portion controls and the significance of ample consumption of fluids. Even when he’s away on industrial commitments or on advert shoots, the 31-year-old does not compromise together with his consuming routine and the wide selection of sippers he carries make sure the hydration recreation stays robust. One such sipper was even noticed throughout the drinks break in opposition to Pakistan.
India have bowled underneath the cruel solar of their Champions Trophy video games versus Pakistan, Bangladesh and there was no drop in depth throughout Pandya’s spells or actions within the center. One of many most secure arms and quickest movers within the squad, he finds himself within the hotpots very often however the method has remained aggressive with excessive power ranges. Talent sensible, there wasn’t any doubt round Pandya and even when there have been few query marks on his health, he has answered them one recreation at time.

Hardik Pandya bats within the nets. (PTI Picture)

The ankle damage throughout the group levels of the 2023 World Cup was a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the game and even the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) obtained in a huddle after the freak occasion conserving the long run goal in thoughts. The all-rounder was put underneath a 18-week excessive efficiency programme by the Nationwide Cricket Academy (NCA) the place completely different approaches had been applied and each day was designed to go well with a selected goal. The temptation to play him in inconsequential bilateral video games was averted throughout that interval and the larger image of the white-ball fixtures within the 2024-2026 cycle was stored as precedence.
He has returned stronger, with a number of lean muscle mass on the physique, and has featured in bilaterals, T20 World Cup, full season of the IPL for Mumbai Indians and home video games for Baroda. The home recreation time definitely helped him rediscover his massive hitting mojo as he was at his belligerent finest with the bat, and took the boldness into the house collection in opposition to England in January-February.

For once-in-a-generation-players, it is at all times the larger image which all stakeholders take note of. And Pandya has been that form of a participant. He is sort of a Ferrari racing alongside the motorway and everybody needs the gasoline tank lasts as a lot as an everyday sedan’s would.