On asked about his critics, the 24-year-old said, "Let's not worry about me, I know what I'm doing, and I don't care what people say about me. The team backs me and that's important."
Hardik Pandya has faced a lot of criticism from former players and fans for not justifying his place as a Test all-rounder. But that has changed now as he has taken a five-wicket haul and scored a fifty in the ongoing third Test against England in Nottingham.
Before the match, West Indian pace legend Michael Holding had questioned Pandya’s capabilities as an all-rounder in the five-day format.
He said Pandya “did not do much with the ball”. However, Pandya has answered his critics in style.
"The (Indian) attack has not been the right balance. Apparently, they are playing Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder to help out with the bowling. When he bowls he isn't as effective as he should be. If he was a good batsman, if he was getting runs - 60s, 70s, not even regular hundreds - at the number at which he bats and then he bowls and gets two or three wickets, happy, hallelujah," Holding had told ESPNCricinfo.
The Indian skipper Virat Kohli decided to retain the Baroda all-rounder despite the criticisms surrounding him and that turned out to be a great call.
After his five-wicket haul, in an interview with Nasser Hussain for Sky Sports, Pandya said, "Quite happy with the five-for. I remember as a bowling unit during lunch, we got together and focused on bowling in the right areas. The ball was swinging in the morning but we didn't get wickets, so Ishant (Sharma) and I tried to stifle the runs and see what happens. I was happy to get a wicket on the first ball, particularly (Joe) Root. Generally, I try to seam it as well, but when you're trying to swing it, you tend to bowl full and driveable balls. I'm not scared of being driven, because if the wickets come, runs don't matter."
On asked about his critics, the 24-year-old said, "Let's not worry about me, I know what I'm doing, and I don't care what people say about me. The team backs me and that's important."
After taking 5/28, Pandya hit an unbeaten 52 as India declared at 352/7 in the second innings on Monday, setting a target of 521 for the hosts. England ended the third day at 23/0.
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