IPL 2020: Hardik Pandya Requests Everyone To Adhere To Bio-Security Guidelines In The UAE

Mumbai Indians’ Hardik Pandya is arguably one of the hardest hitters of the ball and one of the best limited-overs all-rounders. Hardik Pandya joined the Mumbai Indians’ camp in 2015 and been part of three title victories since then, maintaining an overall strike rate of 154.78. The all-rounder stressed on following the COVID-19 guidelines and enjoy their game at the same time.

Also Read: Matthew Hayden Names The Bowlers Who Could Shine In 2020 IPL

Ahead of the IPL 2020, as much as 13 personnel tested positive for COVID-19 from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) while two Indian players suffered the same fate. Hence, the plans for the extravaganza stands slightly shaken and disrupted.

Due to the swiftly rising cases in the sub-continent nation, the 13th edition was shifted to the UAE. Hardik Pandya highlighted that every player needs to co-operate and stick to the basics throughout the competition.

Hardik Pandya, who suffered several injuries of late underlined his excitement and is keen to implement all that he learned while training. The Baroda all-rounder conceded that the nervousness and pressure have vanished and wants to express himself for their welfare.

“More excited than nervous because a good 10 months I have been training and looking forward to play so the portion where the nervousness comes or the pressure comes has gone away. I am just more excited to be on the field and implement what I have worked on with regards to my training part, the practice sessions,” Pandya stated as quoted by News18.

Pandya elaborated that he only follows what the health officials say and comply with every guideline and everything would be fine if they did that. The 26-year old further noted that one person could destroy all their hard work; hence all they have to do is stick with the basics.

“For me it is just simple. Follow what the health officials say and follow what the team management says. I let the professionals do their work and if they say that we should look after certain things, I think we should just follow that and be on track.

“I realized one thing during this seven days of isolation that we have all been working hard for a long time. But one person can ruin everyone’s hard work over the last 3-4 months. So, we are only focusing on cricket right now because MI is taking care of the rest,” the 26-year old asserted.

I feel we are in one of the best franchise which any player can be in: Hardik Pandya

The Baroda all-rounder credited Mumbai Indians’ team management for taking care of all the processes smoothly before even planning to fly. Hence, all their fears had disappeared, leaving the players to focus only on their game.

“I feel we are in one of the best franchise which any player can be in. I know a lot of things have happened with other franchises, but the way MI have looked after us, the way they have followed the protocols, our testing started 20 days before we were even planning to fly.

“So, for us, we didn’t feel that scared as we had the MI management looking after that factor and we were only focusing on our game. Credit goes to MI for that,” the swashbuckling all-rounder said.

Hardik Pandya went on to say their sole objective is to play well and hit their straps. At the same time, he emphasized on adhering to all the protocols; however, it should not be at the cost of enjoying and playing well.

“Back of the mind we have to clear one thing out that we have to get back to cricket. Obviously follow the protocols and from the mind frame point of view, we have to get back and focus on the game. Lots of things will be going around, but as cricketers we will have to focus on our sport because we are here to play and enjoy,” he added further.

Also Read: “We’re Not Here To Hang Out In Dubai”: Virat Kohli Wants RCB Players To Respect Bio-Secure Protocols