‘We wanted to play him’ – Hardik Pandya gives a big statement on not picking Sanju Samson in NZ T20I series
India won the three-match T20I series against New Zealand by 1-0 after the third T20I was tied after a rain delay. Chasing the target of 161, India were 75/4 in 9 Overs, level with the DLS par score at that stage, when rain arrived and didn’t allow any further play resulting in the tie.
The series was touted as the beginning of India’s transition in the T20Is by bringing in youngsters with the team being led by Hardik Pandya. Despite several youngsters getting a chance, wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson once again failed to find a place in the playing eleven. Left-hander Rishabh Pant was picked ahead of Sanju Samson who failed to fire with the bat and had scores of 6 and 11 against his name in two innings.
During the post-match media interaction, Hardik Pandya explained why Pant didn’t get a chance in the eleven.
“If they are sitting out… Sanju Samson, for example: we wanted to play him, but for whatever reason, we couldn’t. But I can get into their shoes and understand how they are feeling. As a cricketer, it is difficult, whatever one might say. You are in the Indian team, but you are not getting a chance in the XI, so that’s difficult,” Pandya said.
“At the end of the day, I can say whatever I want, but those will just be words. It will still be difficult for them to deal with. But if I can create a healthy environment, where the players can come and speak to me if they are feeling bad, or go and speak to the coach, if I remain the captain, I think it won’t be a problem. Because my nature is such that I make sure everyone is together,” he added.
This is my team: Hardik Pandya
Pandya said outside voices don’t matter to him and all the players will get enough chances under his leadership.
“What people are saying from outside, it doesn’t matter much at this level,” Pandya said. “This is my team, firstly. The coach and I will pick the team we feel is right.”
“There’s a lot of time, everyone will get a chance, when one gets a chance, he will get a long run. If it was a longer series, if there were more matches, obviously opportunities would have been given. But when it is a short series, I don’t believe in chop and change and in future also, I wouldn’t believe, he further added.
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