India all-rounder Hardik Pandya on Monday revealed how he is “pushing” the bowling ball in the second match of the 2021 T20 World Cup despite being picked as a batsman. Looking back on the match, he admitted he felt the pressure on him after criticising India for a lack of sixth bowling options after a 1o-wicket loss to Pakistan in the match opener.

India has never lost to Pakistan in a World Cup match. The same result is expected for the Dubai opener of the 2021 T20 World Cup, with India set to be the pre-match favourites. But Pakistan wrote a stunning 10-run win in an unbeaten start between captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to write their first victory over India. One of India’s main concerns in that game was their lack of bowling depth. With no sixth bowling option, skipper Virat Kohli can only rotate between the other five options.

Speaking on Backstage with Boria, Hardik clarified that he was picked a batsman in the squad and not as an all-rounder before admitting that he felt some vibe that “everything was thrown at” him. He further added that despite not being able to and not being advised to, he pushed himself to bowl in the second game for the team.

“I have a feeling or feeling that a lot of things are happening to me. Obviously it’s good. I play the sport and I get it…but where we were and when I went, I felt it Everything was on me all the time, everything was thrown at me. I didn’t bowl, yes, but I was drafted into the team as a batsman. I bowled really hard in the first game, which was obviously something I did No. I got hit in the first game, the second game when I retreated, I shouldn’t have gone. I pushed my team but ended up having a setback and as you said it happened, “He said.

Hardick has long suffered from a back injury that will keep him playing as a hitter for most of 2021. He even played only as a batsman in the Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2021 campaign. However, he bowled for India in two T20 World Cup matches against Afghanistan and New Zealand, conceding 40 runs without a wicket.

Hardik was undrafted in the ensuing India series as he continued to recover from injury. However, the Baroda-based player is eager to make a comeback as an all-rounder in IPL 2022.

“I want to be an all-rounder. If things go bad, I don’t know, but my preparation is all about playing as an all-rounder. I feel good, I feel strong, and eventually, time will tell. what,” he added.

Complete Newsd Source : Hindustan Times