Rishabh Pant's absence from the national team would definitely have a huge impact on the side's balance but all that new T20 skipper Hardik Pandya can think of right now is "speedy recovery" of his teammate.
On the eve of India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I, captain Hardik Pandya wished for Rishabh Pant's speedy recovery and said he is an important part of the team but now everybody knows where things stand.
He added that in Pant's absence, other players will get the chance to make their mark.
"What happened is very unfortunate. No one had any control over it and as a team, we wish him (Pant) all the best. Our love and prayers are always with him and we wish he has a speedy recovery," Hardik said on the eve of the first T20I against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Hardik then went on to underline the importance of a player of Pant's calibre in the Indian team's set-up.
"Obviously, he was very important but now everyone knows where the situation stands. If Rishabh would also have been there, it would have made a big difference, yes, because of the kind of player he is. But now that he is not there, it is something, we can't control," Hardik added.
The skipper wants all those who will be getting opportunities in the absence of Pant to use them to the fullest.
"There are a lot of people who can get opportunities. Let's see what the future has kept for us and move forward with it," he stated.
(With PTI inputs)