I don't take unnecessary pressure, says Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya received his Test cap from captain Virat Kohli ahead of the first Test match against Sri Lanka. At the end of the second day’s play, he had already made an impact for the team. India managed to put up a colossal total – 600 on the board, with the help of two big centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara. However, it was Pandya along with the tail enders Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav who took the score seemingly out of Sri Lanka’s reach.

Hardik speaks about making his debut

Speaking ahead of the day’s play, Pandya revealed how proud he was at the being given the opportunity to represent the country in Test cricket. But he was not at all nervous. “When I started playing cricket, I wanted to play Test cricket and when I got to know yesterday, I was very proud,” the allrounder said.

“No nerves. That’s the good thing about me, I don’t take unnecessary pressure. I was trying to keep calm and focus on my processes,” he said.

On being asked whether he had talked to his elder brother Krunal Pandya about his debut, he responded saying, “We’re always in touch. There’s not a day when we don’t talk, and we always make sure to help each other.”

Prior to the day’s play, Pandya had reckoned that a 600-something would be a great score. “The wicket looks pretty flat here, pretty good to bat on, Ajinkya (Rahane) and (Cheteshwar) Pujara are doing really well and hopefully we can get 600-something. On bowling, it’s all about being consistent, because being the fifth bowler, the batsmen will come hard at me, and that way I want to take their wickets,” he observed.

The 23-year-old would be happy that India managed to put up 600 in the first innings, courtesy of his exploits.