Hardik Pandya on Why Ruturaj Gaikwad didn’t Open in the First T20I: India played their first match against Ireland in the two T20I series on 26th June, Sunday. Due to rain, the T20 match was transformed into a twelve-over game to complete the game on time. Both countries played well, but India emerged a winner, leading 1-0 in the game. If India bags another victory, they will win the Ireland tour.
Ireland batted first and gave a target of 109 runs, Bhuvneshswar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Hardik Pandya took wickets for India. Deepak Hooda was the highlight of the match, as he played the entire second innings, from entering as an opener to playing with captain Hardik Pandya as a finisher. He secured the victory for India in the first game with an unbeaten forty-seven runs.
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Fans were happy with his performance, but several questioned why Ruturaj Gaikwad didn’t open for India alongside his usual partner Ishan Kishan. Pandya spoke at a virtual press conference where he answered the questions about the change in openers.
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He said, “Rutu had a niggle in his calf. We had the opportunity of taking a risk and sending him in to open, but I was not okay with it. A player’s well-being is more important, and I thought we’ll be able to manage what happens in the match. It was quiet after that, there wasn’t much of a decision to make, whatever our batting order numbers were, we all went up one spot, and it wasn’t a headache. We wanted to make sure we weren’t taking any chances with Rutu.”
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Player’s Well-Being is More Important: Hardik Pandya on Why Ruturaj Gaikwad didn’t Open in the First T20I
The new captain also shared his views on the debut of Umran Malik, “When you play for India for the first time, and the journey he has taken, it’s important to give such a bowler and such a talent time. Whether it was a good day or a bad day, is irrelevant. For him, just to play for India is itself a very big thing, and that is something which I’m very happy for. Irrespective of how the results went, good or bad, it’s okay.”
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