Hardik Pandya bowls in the nets ahead of India’s clash against New Zealand
The question of whether Hardik Pandya can be a bowling option for the Indian side during the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup has hogged the spotlight. And, on 30th October 2021, the 28-year-old was seen bowling in the nets as he went through his fitness session.
The Indian team physio, Nitin Patel as well as assistant strength and conditioning coach, Soham Desai were present as well. Pandya was also seen doing a lot of strengthening exercises ahead of India’s clash against New Zealand as well.
And, Indian skipper Virat Kohli remarked that Hardik Pandya is perfectly fine. “Hardik is fine, if you’re talking about the blow on the shoulder, he’s absolutely fine,” said Virat Kohli.
I don’t want to single out individuals: Virat Kohli
In India’s opening match of the tournament, Pakistan beat Virat Kohli and his men with 10 wickets to spare. Virat Kohli also added that he does not want to pinpoint individuals for India’s performance against the Pakistan side.
Kohli further opined that the bowlers cannot pick wickets every time they step onto the field. The 32-year-old also stated that the Indian side knows where things went wrong as well.
“I don’t want to single out any individuals. I think as a bowling group we failed to pick up wickets. And we understand that can happen in the sport. It’s not a guarantee that every time you take the field you won’t be able to pick up wickets. These are the same guys that have been doing the job for us for a long period of time. We understand how things went and where they went wrong,” said Kohli before India’s clash against New Zealand.
Kohli also added that India were totally outplayed by Pakistan. Adding that the Indian players have not given any excuses, Kohli concluded by stating that he would not like to single out any individual.
“And we totally accept and know that we got outplayed by the opposition thoroughly and you need to accept that. You need to accept that as a professional cricket team, without any ego, without any excuses whatsoever. We have given none. And we will not give any excuses moving forward either. And hence I’m saying I’ll not single out individuals. We lost as a team, and that’s exactly what we believe in and that exactly was the case in the previous game,” concluded Kohli.