Hardik Pandya: Didn’t want to risk playing Ruturaj Gaikwad as he had a calf niggle, says Hardik Pandya | Cricket News – Times of India
MALAHIDE: India skipper Hardik Pandya revealed that he didn't want to risk sending out Ruturaj Gaikwad to open the innings in the first T20 against Ireland as he picked up a calf niggle in the first half of the game. India chased down a 109-run target with relative ease in the rain-curtailed T20 against hosts Ireland on Sunday night. But at the halfway stage instead of regular opener Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda walked out to open the innings alongside Ishan Kishan. "Rutu had a niggle in his calf," Pandya said at the post-match press conference. "We had the choice of taking a risk and sending him in (to open), but I was not okay with it. A player's well-being is more important, and (I thought) we'll be able to manage what happens in the match." Hooda, who was playing his fourth T20I for India,...