Hardik Pandya reveals his "biggest" New Year's resolution
India will be without the services of their regular captain Rohit Sharma, who is recovering from a thumb injury, and in his absence, the leadership role for the three home T20Is against Sri Lanka has been handed to all-rounder Hardik Pandya. However, Rohit is expected to be back into the playing mix for the ODI leg of the tour which starts later this month on 10 January.
Rohit Sharma makes his much-awaited return to ODIs as India announce squads for Sri Lanka series.
— ICC (@ICC) December 28, 2022
Details: https://t.co/8iTjMSEhyF#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/MXSYitpBCj
Speaking to the media on the eve of the first T20I in Mumbai, Hardik revealed his New Year's resolution: "The biggest is to win the World Cup." India are hosting the 50-over ICC Men's Cricket World Cup later this year in October-November, and Hardik has already set his eyes on the coveted trophy, which India won last in 2011.
"I don’t think any bigger resolution can be there," said Hardik. "Really want to win the World Cup and for which we will try everything possible in our capacity to go out there and give everything. I think things are looking bright and let’s hope it is," he added.
Sri Lanka will begin their New Year with a white-ball series against India from 3 January 2023.
— ICC (@ICC) January 1, 2023
Their squad ➡️ https://t.co/95CHR29fb7#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/pGaKWcNIEn
Following India's shock exit in the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Hardik stayed out of action until the 2022 IPL season. The break turned the star India all-rounder's setbacks into memorable comebacks. Not only did he lead the newest IPL franchise Gujarat Titans to glory, but he also produced sensational performances for India in international cricket.
Reflecting on his last year's break and the transition that followed, Hardik called it "magical" and further added about his hunger for achieving bigger things and winning a World Cup for India.
"One year back things were quite different when I went out of the sport… that was my call to go out and spend some time and get better at it. It [2022] has been a magical year for me," said Hardik.
"Obviously, would have liked [to win] the [2022 T20] World Cup also but that is part and parcel, we tried but it did not happen. Going forward, what do I want to achieve? There is a lot to achieve. I have not achieved anything.
"So I am looking forward to the future. There are World Cups coming. There are going to be multiple World Cups in multiple years so the goal will always be to win a World Cup and I think, from now onwards, the goal will be to win the World Cup."
The three T20Is against Sri Lanka will take place in Mumbai, Pune, and Rajkot on 3, 5, and 7 January respectively.