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Watch: ‘I am playing for India right now…’ – Hardik Pandya’s strong reply about Kane Williamson’s Hyderabad contract
‘Don’t know, too far ahead to think about it now,’ Pandya added.
Ahead of the series against New Zealand, the Hardik Pandya-led Indian team are toiling it hard with a motive to turn things around post their dismal exit from the 20-20 World Cup 2022 in the knockout stage. Pandya, who claimed that the Indian team will look to enjoy the series, will leave no stone unturned to clinch the series, which might be vital to lift the team’s morale.
With the series set to get underway on November 18, Friday, Pandya said that it would be nice for Williamson to get an Indian T20 League contract for the next edition, as the Hyderabad franchise ended their stint with the veteran cricketer on Tuesday.
Further, Pandya claimed that he is representing India and commenting about Williamson playing for the Gujarat franchise would be inappropriate and too early as well. However, the Chennai franchise are more likely to go all-out for the player in the auction as they are in need of a captain, with MS Dhoni likely to sign off post the upcoming edition of the Indian T20 League.
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Don’t know, too far ahead to think: Hardik Pandya
Pandya also claimed that the Indian team’s roadmap for the 20-20 World Cup 2024 begins with the upcoming series against the Black Caps, although the players will be advised only to enjoy the series and not think about the next edition of the multinational tournament.
“Don’t know, too far ahead to think about it now. For him, because he is a friend, yes. Rest it is okay. Indian T20 League is Indian T20 League, right now I am playing for India,” Pandya was quoted as saying when asked about Williamson being released from the Hyderabad franchise and on the possibility of the Gujarat team roping him in.
“Next 20-20 World Cup is in two years’ time… The roadmap starts now. Also the 50-over World Cup is there in India next (year), it’s a different format… than what we’re going to play in the next three games but it’s an important series for a lot of the boys,” said the captain further.
