Since this year’s IPL, where he led the Gujarat Titans to the title in their maiden season, Hardik Pandya has done most things right both as a batsman and a seamer. If the all-rounder is at the top of his game in the current T20 World Cup in Australia, that certainly can make a big difference for Team India.

On his part too, Pandya seems quite pleased with his preparation leading up to India’s campaign opener in this World Cup, where they first clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Melbourne on Sunday

“I was always excited to come to Australia and get so much time to prepare. Because, as an individual, I have always felt that if I get the right situation and right conditions to practise, you can’t ask for a better scenario for me or the whole team than to come here and spend 17 days before the World Cup starts and get used to the conditions, atmosphere, weather and everything.

“Credit goes to the BCCI and the team management to give us the opportunity to be prepared in the best possible capacity,” the 29-year-old said in a video posted on bcci.tv.

As of now, in the two practice matches against Western Australia in Perth and the warm-up game versus Australia in Brisbane on Monday, Pandya had scores of 27, 17 and 2.

He couldn’t get too many runs in those games, but what counts for him is the approach with which he batted out there.

“That was kind of almost satisfying for me mainly because of my approach and how I adapted to the situation. I played some 21 balls off the middle of the bat. That was more positive for me,” Pandya emphasised.

“A very good point was made by one of the players that in Australia, it’s about one inning. If you can get it early in the tournament or in a practice game and once you get used to the conditions, you can get a lot of runs. As a fast bowler too, if you can get used to the conditions and are keen to take on the responsibility, it sets you up really well for the challenge,” Pandya added.

In terms of fielding as well, Pandya feels he’s very close to getting back to his best, priming himself up for what could be “the best catch” of his career. “My fitness has gone up, so now I am able to spend a lot of time on my fielding as well.

“Yes, I was natural, but I wanted to be exceptional in my sphere. Luckily, now with our fielding coach (T. Dilip), I’m able to spend some more time and get those difficult ones (stops).

“The Hardik I knew used to dive around and stop the ball two metres from here and there. For me, the preparation was what mattered because once I get used to that, it’s just a reaction in the game then. My goal is to take a catch which could be the best of my career and I’m preparing for that,” Pandya concluded.

Whether there’s further game time in store for Pandya ahead of the Pakistan clash remains to be seen, but India have one last opportunity to tick a box or two when they face New Zealand in their final warm-up game at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Against Australia on Monday, pacer Mohammed Shami did a fine job in the lone over he bowled, striking thrice and conceding only four runs to help India to a six-run win. Shami may get a few more overs to bowl against the Black Caps if he’s in the team management’s plans for the opener versus Pakistan.

Will Rishabh Pant be a part of the action on Wednesday? Against Australia, he was seated at the dugout with an ice pack (as claimed by the Indian camp) on his right knee and the shin area below strapped. Pant, though, did feature in the two practice games in Perth last week.