Hardik Pandya wants to play Jacques Kallis' role for India

Hardik Pandya is grateful to skipper MS Dhoni for showing faith in his abilities © AFP

Hardik Pandya, the latest poster boy of India cricket, is enjoying all the attention and adulation. The Baroda lad, who has impressed one and all with his allround skills, maintained that he will not be under any pressure going into the World T20, 2016.

"I am happy to have made a good start and want to keep contributing to the team's cause," Pandya said during an open session with the media at the team hotel on Tuesday (March 8). The youngster, however, has big dreams. "I want to be like Jacques Kallis. We all know what Kallis has done for the Proteas with the bat and ball, I want to do the same for Team India," Pandya said.

The 22-year-old, who is learning fast from the senior pros in the dressing room, sees himself as a genuine allrounder. "I am not a bowling or batting allrounder, I see myself as a player who can do everything," he said. He is grateful to skipper MS Dhoni for showing faith in his abilities. "It feels good when your captain promote you ahead of himself. It helps a lot," he added.

Harbhajan Singh, the veteran off-spinner, felt with the youngsters coming good, India stand a good chance to win the WT20 this time. However, looking back at 2007 experience, Bhajji felt there was little expectation from the team then. "Very few expected us to win the Cup that time as we were a very young side. But now after a good run, the pressure of expectations will be high," he stated.

A happy dressing room is an added plus for Team India's success in recent times. In spite of not finding a regular place in the playing XI, Ajinkya Rahane is not frustrated and enjoying the team's success. "It's nice to have a settled unit. I am patient and positive," he said. "I am focusing on my preparation and with the skipper and Team Director (Shastri) backing my work ethic, I am happy to wait for my chance," he added.

In the shortest format, much depends on a good start and Team India openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been providing just that. Rohit felt the opening duo are complements each other well. "It's important to understand each other's game, which we do. There are days when he (Shikhar) bats freely and at times, I take the initiative. That way we work as a team," he said.

Sharma feels that good all-round team effort has made India the No. 1 side in T20. He even heaped praise on young pacer Jasprit Bumrah. "Instead of talking about (Mohammad) Aamir you should talk about Bumrah. He's our bowler and doing well. He's a rare talent and will go a long way," he felt.

via-TNN