New Zealand vs India 2022

Hardik Pandya responds to Michael Vaughan’s ‘most underperforming team’ remark on Indian team

After India’s exit from the 20-20 World Cup 2022 in the semi-final, several former cricketers criticized their batting approach in the shortest format of international cricket. Former England Captain Michael Vaughan went on to call team India the ‘biggest underperforming’ team in the history of world cricket. Reacting to the statement, India’s T20I captain for the upcoming New Zealand tour, Hardik Pandya, said that they don’t need to prove to anyone but there is definite room for improvement.

Pandya said that the loss is bound to attract criticism from people. The main aim of the team is to keep trying to get better.

“Obviously when you don’t do well, people will have their opinion, which we respect. I understand people have different points of view. Being at the international level, I don’t think we need to prove anything to anyone. It’s a sport, you keep trying to get better and eventually when the result is supposed to happen it will happen. There are things we need to work on, going forward we will rectify and work on it,” Hardik said on Wednesday.

“India are the most underperforming white-ball team in history. I am just staggered by how they play T20 cricket for the talent they have. They have the players, but just do not have the right process in place. They have to go for it. Why do they give the opposition bowlers the first five overs to bed in?” Vaughan had written in his column for the Daily Telegraph criticizing India’s top-order for scoring at just about six runs per over in the powerplay which was the second worst in the tournament.

The roadmap starts now : Hardik Pandya

Meanwhile, India will play three-match T20I series against New Zealand starting on 18^th November followed by a three-match ODI series. India’s senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been rested for the tour.

The likes of Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, and Deepak Hooda will be seen in action on the New Zealand tour.

“The next 20-20 World Cup will be in two years if I’m not wrong so we have time. Till then, a lot of cricket will be played, a lot of people will have enough chances. The roadmap starts now but it’s quick (to make any comments). We’ll sit down and start having those conversations. Right now, it’s about letting the boys enjoy it, it’s a beautiful country to play cricket, we’ll talk about the future later,” Hardik added.