Picture Credit: BCCI
It is an open secret that Hardik Pandya's injury woes have troubled the player as well as the Indian team to a great extent in the recent past. His back surgery and the road to recovery saw him bowling only in selected games off late. As a result, not only Team India lost its balance but also struggled in finding his replacement. The consequences saw an out-of-form Hardik getting included in India's playing XI for T20 World Cup 2021, despite him neither scoring with the bat nor bowling as a regular.
Hardik had a forgettable T20 World Cup campaign as he scored 69 runs across 5 games and remained wicketless in the four overs he bowled in the tournament, conceding 40 runs. He has been rested for the subsequent New Zealand T20I series, while uncapped player Venkatesh Iyer has been named in the squad.
Hardik Pandya knows exactly what he needs to do: KL Rahul
Speaking on the lean patch Hardik is currently going through, India's vice-captain for New Zealand T20Is KL Rahul has said that the all-rounder is smart enough to understand what is expected out of him.
"Quite honestly, I mean I do not know if that has happened. He knows exactly what he needs to do and what is expected out of him. He is smart enough to understand that," Rahul said on Monday during a virtual press conference.
It is worth noting that the T20I series against New Zealand will be the first assignment of newly-appointed head coach Rahul Dravid. KL feels that having Dravid around would give everyone an opportunity to learn from the latter's experience.
"Look, I have been fortunate to know him for a very long time. As a youngster, I did try to pick his brain. He was very helpful to all of us back home in Karnataka. He has helped boys across the country, having him here with us as a part of that setup will give us an opportunity to learn," said KL.
Calling Dravid a team man, KL said that Dravid has a "great understanding" of the game.
"We all know how big a name Rahul Dravid is, we have a great opportunity to learn from him and get better as cricketers. When it comes to coaching, I have played a couple of games with India A setup, he is somebody who has a great understanding of the game and creates an atmosphere where everybody is comfortable. He has always been a team man," KL said.