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India vs Ireland T20I: Hardik Pandya relishes captaincy, says learnt lot from Dhoni and Kohli

Hardik Pandya has been named as captain of the Indian team for the two-match T20 International series against Ireland.

India vs Ireland T20I: Hardik Pandya relishes captaincy, says learnt lot from Dhoni and Kohli snt
Author
Malahide, First Published Jun 25, 2022, 7:16 PM IST

He struck gold in his debut season as captain in the IPL, and Hardik Pandya admits that responsibility brings out the best of him on a cricket field. Hardik, who led the Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in the side's debut season earlier this year, has been named as captain of the Indian team for the two-match T20 International series against Ireland, starting Malahide on Sunday. 

And the dashing all-rounder said he believes in taking ownership on the field. "Earlier also, I liked taking up responsibility, and now also it is the same, but it is a bit more responsibility now. I always believed that I did better when I took responsibility," Hardik said during a virtual press conference on the eve of the first T20I. 

"If I can take ownership of my own things and make my own decisions, they tend to be strong. Cricket is such a game. Staying strong during situations is very important. Always responsibility was given to me, and I took it, and that's why I became better. While captaining, I will see how I can give the same responsibility to every player and give them the ability to fight with situations," he added. 

Also read: Dinesh Karthik opens up lot of options going into T20 World Cup: Dravid

Playing under two talismanic skippers in Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli has taught Hardik a lot about leadership qualities, but he said every captain has their own style. 

"Obviously, I have taken a lot of things from them (Dhoni and Kohli), but at the same time, I also want to be myself. Obviously, my understanding of the game is different, but I have taken a lot of good vibes from them. "I am not instinctive, but I see more situations than go on my gut. At what point in time, what decision the team requires? I focus on that rather than going on my gut. Gut always goes 50-50," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

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