I consider the short ball my stock delivery, says Doikho Das on his Hardik Pandya influence in APL 2026

Doikho Das, the all-rounder for Dibrugarh Warriors, has credited Indian star Hardik Pandya as his idol while competing in the inaugural Assam Premier League 2026. Das has stated that he is trying to model his game on Pandya’s aggressive approach to cricket. His admiration for Pandya has influenced the way he approaches bowling, particularly his use of the short ball as a key weapon.

Das has claimed 13 wickets across six matches in the tournament at an economy rate of 7.80. His standout performance came against Charaideo Sunrisers, where he took 4 wickets for 33 runs. The young all-rounder believes his strategic focus on specific areas has been central to his success on the field.

“I consider the short ball my stock delivery. It has brought me success, and with the pitches offering assistance, I am leaning into that strength, Das was quoted as saying by My Khel.

His confidence in this particular delivery reflects the influence of studying Pandya’s aggressive cricket style.

How Das approaches his bowling strategy

Das acknowledged that he has not yet had the opportunity to bat in the tournament but expressed readiness for when that chance arrives. The all-rounder remains focused on contributing across both disciplines as part of his franchise role.

“I haven’t had the chance to bat yet, but I’m ready to make an impact whenever the opportunity arises, Das added.

This willingness to contribute with both bat and ball aligns with the all-rounder responsibilities he carries for Dibrugarh Warriors.

Das’s mental approach and team perspective

Das emphasised his mental approach to bowling during matches. The young cricketer maintains a clear strategy when operating with the ball, focusing on executing his plans rather than reacting to opposition batters.

“My mindset is clear. I don’t focus on the batter; I only focus on hitting my areas and sticking to the plan,” Das explained.

This disciplined approach has helped him maintain consistency with the ball throughout the tournament.

The Warriors have experienced mixed results in the competition, and Das reflected on the team’s setbacks with a forward-looking perspective. His focus remains on continuous improvement and contributing to his team’s performance in the remaining fixtures of the inaugural APL season.

“Losses are part of the game; we’ll learn from our mistakes and bounce back in the upcoming matches,” Das concluded.

The all-rounder’s outlook reflects the competitive mindset required to succeed in the tournament’s remaining matches.