‘I have done something nice in my short career\', believes Hardik Pandya

Mumbai: India all-rounder is set to make a comeback on the field as India lock horns with South Africa at Dharamsala in the first T20I of the three-match series.

The 25-year-old was suffering from a stiff back and was rested for the West Indies tour post India's exit from the ICC World Cup 2019. Pandya, who gathered 226 runs and scalped 10 wickets in the World Cup in nine matches expressed grief over the team's exit from the mega-event.

“It was difficult and we all felt the same pain, but life moves on. I would have been more upset if we as a team hadn’t done justice to our performance. I think as a team we played as champions and except for those 30 minutes, I thought we played outstandingly and everyone was contributing and looking to excel. It is just how it is at the knockout stage. We have kind of moved on and we want to focus on the next World Cup (WT20) and win that,” Pandya told IANS.

The all-rounder also stated the importance of developing fitness in his career.

“It is a little difficult because the thing I do as a batsman is then replicated as a bowler. So, I bowl the same amount of balls that a bowler bowls and then I bat for as long as a batsman will help keep my game on point. That is why it is important for me to be super fit and that I am improving my fitness all the time. It has not been easy till now and I have to manage my workload at all times,” said Pandya.

Pandya also lauded skipper Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri for boosting his confidence by backing him.

“When someone like your captain and coach backs you, the confidence increases and you look to express yourself and that brings out the best in you. I have always made sure that I understand the situation and then enjoy myself. Enjoying the game decreases the pressure. I have confidence in myself so there is no question of pressure," he said.