IND vs NZ: Hardik Pandya Opines on Team India’s New Roadmap For T20 World Cup 2024

Just a few days after the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup, 2022, India will take on New Zealand in a white-ball series, comprising a three-match T20I and ODI series, starting Friday, November 18 in Wellington.

The Indian captain Rohit Sharma, vice-captain KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik and veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin have all been rested for the New Zealand tour as part of workload management of players.

In the absence of senior players, the star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will shoulder the captaincy duties of the T20I team with Rishabh Pant acting as his deputy while in the 50-Overs series, Shikhar Dhawan will take the charge of the team.

During a media interaction ahead of the series, Pandya opened up on their T20 World Cup campaign, stating that the team needs to put behind their past disappointment and should move forward and rectify their mistakes.

“Yes, we all know there is disappointment from the World Cup, but we are professionals, and we need to cope with it. How we cope with our success, we cope with our failures and move forward, and look forward to rectifying our mistakes,” Pandya told reporters.

A lot of players will get a chance – Hardik Pandya

The next T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played in 2024 in the West Indies and the United States. Ahead of that, team India is expected to undergo a major transition with the majority of senior players being gradually eased out of the T20I setup.

Weighing in on the same, the Baroda cricketer said that going forward a lot of players will be given chances to prove their mettle in the shortest format of the game.

“Yes, the next T20 WC is almost two years away so we have time (to unearth new talent). A lot of cricket will be played and a lot of people will get enough chances.”

“The road map starts now. But it’s too fresh right now. We have a lot of time so we will sit down and have conversations on those grounds,” Pandya said.

“They have had ample chances and enough time in international cricket to express themselves and show what they have. Very excited for them, a new bunch of guys, new energy and excitement,” Pandya concluded.

The series opener between India and New Zealand will take place on Friday, November 18 in Wellington. The second and third T20I matches of the series will be played on November 20 and November 22 respectively.