I always want to be in action, there’s no fun sitting out: Hardik Pandya

With the Vijay Hazare Trophy, probably the last bit of 50 overs action for Indian cricketers before they play the Champions Trophy in June underway the team management has decided to give most players an opportunity to play the tournament and prove their mettle for the mega event. Hardik Pandya who was a part of the Indian Test team was released after the end of the Pune Test is playing the tourney for his state side Baroda.

He is the new face of flamboyance in the Indian team that also has the likes of Virat Kohli. Pandya is in the action with the ball, bat and is an energetic fielder which keeps him always in the focus of the camera that results in a lot of fans turning to him and asking for selfies. “Album banayega kya bhai…thoda baat karne do na please,” he was quoted by WahCricket telling a fan to let him get inside the car.

Hardik wants to be in the thick of things be it for the national team, domestic team or his franchise. “I just like to keep playing, be it for India, my state team or my franchise. I always want to be in action, there’s no fun sitting out. That’s why you would have noticed that I was quite fired up when I was bowling out there. It’s important to keep getting games under your belt, especially because the IPL and the Champions Trophy are quite near. Also it helps to keep up your rythym,” he said.

The allrounder is blessed with pace behind his deliveries, he already clocks in the higher 130s and touches 140 when at the peak of his spell. Hardik was able to generate some pace even on a dusty wicket at Karnail where his side edged past Odisha.

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“You saw that? Yeah it’s something I am working hard on. I am working on my fitness a lot, I am a natural athlete but my focus is adding in a few extra yards of pace in my bowling. I want to bowl quicker, look a more complete fast bowler. I know as an all-rounder I have the pressure of performing on both counts, I practice hard in the nets and spend quality time with the bat as well. But I am really working on my bowling a lot,” he said.

He is expecting to don the Test whites pretty soon and is excited as he will rejoin the Indian team for the second Test in Bangalore. “I hope to get a chance pretty soon. My job is to be just prepared for it well when it comes.” Pandya said.