New Delhi: The debate around running non-striker out has been rife in past weeks after the Deepti Sharma pulled it off against England. 

In a shortest format game against English opponent, Sharma sent back Charlotte Dean. Internet had a mixed reaction for Deepti Sharma though ICC (INternational Cricket Council) charged the rules accordingly but debate still continues.

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has explained his point of view, and  he said that it has nothing do with ‘spirit of game.’

‘To hell with Spirit of game….’ Hardik Pandya

While speaking in ICC review, he said, “we need to stop making a fuss about this running out the non-striker. It is a rule, as simple as that. To hell with the spirit of the game, if it is there, it is there. Personally, I have no problem with it. If I am out of my crease, and someone runs me out, it is fine. It is my mistake.”

Matchups don’t work for me, see where I bat and the situation I get into, I do not get the option of matchups. You see matchups are more for the people who are batting in Top 3 or 4. For me, it is just the situation. There have been times, when I would like to take on a bowler, but if the situation does not demand it, I do not take that risk as it is going to harm my team,” said Hardik.

“I am never okay with that. Matchups, it is over-rated. I do not mind saying it, in T20 cricket, it is over-rated. In ODIs and Tests, it might work but in T20s, I do not believe it. Yes, I have not won a World Cup, but I have won other tournaments and I do not think I have ever worried about matchups.

Hardik Pandya talks about his ambitions

While concluding the conversation he said, ”ever since I have made a comeback, the ambition is to the best version of myself and to get the best out of myself. I am running towards, not greatness I would say, but excellence. I am running towards excellence, if I want to achieve something, I think it would be excellence, not the performance. At the end of my career, if I can say to myself, you know what Hardik, you achieved excellence at one point of time, it would be great.”