'Stop thinking about your score, start thinking about what the team requires' - Hardik Pandya reveals MS Dhoni's advice

Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik were the key players in the fourth T20I match between India and South Africa, as the two pulled their side out of misery and helped the team post a defendable total of 170 runs at Rajkot’s Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Pandya revealed how MS Dhoni’s advice of focusing on the team’s requirements during the game helped him during his terrific knock.

The fourth T20I between India and South Africa ended on a high note for the hosts as they bagged a massive 82-run victory to level the series 2-2. The two players who played the anchor’s role in the contest – Pandya and Karthik – indulged in a conversation post the match and revealed quite a few things about their game.

“In my early days, I asked Mahi Bhai one question. I asked him how he gets away from pressure, and he gave me some very simple advice — ‘stop thinking about your own score and start thinking about what your team requires’. From very early, that lesson has stuck to my mind and helped me become the kind of player I am now,” Pandya said in a video uploaded by BCCI TV.

After a successful season with the Gujarat Titans at the IPL 2022 as the team’s skipper, Hardik Pandya was named in the T20I squad. KL Rahul’s sudden exit led to Rishabh Pant getting the captaincy duties and Pandya being named his deputy. With Pant leaving for the England tour post the home series, Pandya will be leading the Indian side against Ireland in the two T20Is. Pandya also revealed that he is focused on the game more than the fact that which team he is playing for.

“Nothing changes because I have started playing for the symbol which is on my chest, and I play the situation. I want to get better with time and do it with the frequency I did for Gujarat,” he added.

I was very bullheaded that I want to play the T20I World Cup this year: Dinesh Karthik

On the other hand, Karthik, who played a winning knock of 55 runs off 27 balls in the fourth T20I, revealed how focused he was with an aim of making a comeback and playing the world cup this season.

“I was very bullheaded that I want to play the T20I World Cup this year. I think it is very important in my life because I have been around for so long, I know what it feels like to be dropped. I also know how valuable it is to play for Team India,” said Karthik in the video.

Pandya also mentioned how he was impressed seeing Karthik achieve what he wanted to, and said that the 37-year-old had inspired not just him, but many other people from around the world.