Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Hardik Pandya confident ahead of Australia T20 series

Mumbai: Hardik Pandya, who scored an unbeaten 86 in Baroda’s six-wicket win over Vidharbha in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, wants to carry his domestic form into the upcoming three-match T20 series in Australia.

“One’s confidence goes through the roof when you get into the national side. I knew I’ll get selected for the Australia series, so I had to put in hard work at practice.I hope to carry this form to Australia,” said the rookie.

“I’ve been batting quite well in the league stages so I had to carry on with that form. One batsman should play till the end and I’m doing the role for Baroda. I was very happy when I was asked to bat at no. 3. I’m a batsman and I’ve always batted at three. I’ve said this during IPL as well that if I take a few balls, I can cover it. In today’s game as well, I started slowly and then shifted gears,” he said.

Pandya said last season’s stint in the IPL for the Ricky Ponting-coached Mumbai Indians, the eventual champions, had helped his career, which is on an upward curve.

“The experience and exposure you get in IPL is amazing. You get to meet Ricky Ponting and practice with him. Even if I would have played for India, I don’t think he would have come and bowled at me. IPL has been a tremendous confidence booster for me.”