India have started their 2023 with a bang as they beat Sri Lanka today in the first T20I game by 2 runs.
Skipper Hardik Pandya has maintained his 100% win record as skipper of India in white-ball games.
However, Pandya has a bigger resolution than just winning the bilateral series. He wants to lift the 50-over World Cup this year along with Team India.
India’s cabinet of ICC trophies continues to remain empty. Their last ICC win came in 2013 when they won the Champions Trophy.
In the T20 World Cup, India were thrashed in the semifinals by England who then became the eventual winners of the tournament.
Now with the 50-over World Cup approaching fast, Pandya wants to make sure that India lifts the trophy once again this year.
Addressing a pre-match press conference today, Pandya said,
One year back, things were quite different. It was my call to go out and get better and it has been a magical year for me. Obviously, we would have liked to win the T20 World Cup but that is part and parcel. It did not happen and that’s alright.
Pandya reveals his new year resolutions for himself and Team India
Adds Pandya further,
Going forward, what do I want to achieve? There’s a lot to achieve. I haven’t achieved anything in my career. So, looking forward to the future and the goal is going to win the World Cup. The New Year’s resolution is to win the World Cup. I don’t think there can be any bigger resolution than that. Our aim will be to win the World Cup and we will try to do that. We will go out there and give everything and things are looking bright.
While Pandya was a part of India’s 2021 T20 World Cup squad, he suffered an injury to his back that almost threatened his international career.
However, he worked hard on himself and his body and the results were magical for him in 2022.
He led IPL franchise Gujarat Titans to their first-ever victory and now he is leading the Indian squad with great leadership skills.
In 2022, India registered series wins against Ireland and New Zealand.
Talking about his future plans, Pandya said,
I know the language of hard work. I don’t think I know any other language in my life. I’ve been thrown to the deep end and the only thing that got me back is my hard work. Keep working hard and make sure I look after my body, which I do. Injuries are a part of the game and I can’t change that. I am very confident of what I’ve done and believe in the process that has brought me here. Going forward, I just want to give my body ample chances to be out there and play my best.
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