Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya who played a key role in India’s series victory against England says it is always very good to contribute in all the departments.
ENG vs IND 3rd ODI Post Match Presentation
Hardik Pandya after leading one of the 2 new IPL teams Gujarat Titans to lift their maiden IPL trophy in the IPL 2022 final has been included in India’s home series against South Africa where the match resulted in a tie after the final match was abandoned.
Following the South Africa series, Hardik was named as the captain of the Indian squad for the Ireland T20I series where he successfully led the team to beat Ireland in the 2 matches and return to get part in the England series.
In the first T20I match Hardik scored 51 runs and bagged 4 wickets and led India to beat England by 50 runs.
Hardik once again played a crucial role in India’s series victory against England in the 3rd and final ODI match. Hardik scored a crucial 71 runs while partnering with Rishabh Pant and led India to a safer side while chasing.
“It is always very good to contribute in all the departments, I think that has given me a lot of confidence in the past, it adds more layers to my game and to my confidence,” he said in the post-match presser on Sunday (July 17).
“And Rishabh… his innings was very important for us, the partnership as well and obviously the way he finished, we all know what kind of talent he has, it is just when it comes out, it is very easy to the eye, and also gives a lot of people… you know their heartbeat also goes up. But at the same time, it gives the eyeballs as well… all the kinds of shots he plays,” he added.
Winning the toss India decides to bowl first where England scored 259 runs for 10 wickets loss. Hardik Pandya with his impressive bowling skill dismissed key players of the opponent team. Hardik dismissed Roy(41), Stokes(27), Livingstone(27), and Jos Buttler(60) to reach his 4 wickets haul.
Hardik played a crucial role in India’s bowling department who missed the service of Bumrah in the series decider match.
“I knew that Jasprit was not going to play this game. Obviously, yes, when someone like him (is injured)… he was telling me, ‘you may have to bowl a couple of overs in the death as well’ (and) I said, ‘very big shoes to fill’.
I had to step up, not at the death, but in making sure that in the middle overs I got the breakthroughs. Whenever things happen to me, the way I planned, it gives confidence,” he noted.
While chasing a target of 260 runs, Indian opening players failed to score the expected runs. Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya added a massive 133 runs partnership and led team India to a safer side while chasing.
“I had to bend my back a bit. I had to change my plans, realised that this was not the wicket to go full, and go for the short ball, use it as a wicket-taking delivery. I fancy my bouncers. In ODIs, you have to take on the short ball and that gives a chance to take wickets,” said Hardik to Sky Sports Cricket.
“Livingstone likes to take on the short ball and that gives me goosebumps, he hit me for two sixes but I told my captain, ‘even if I go for four sixes here but I take a wicket it will make a difference,'” he added.
Pant with his maiden ODI century led India to seal the series by beating England by 5 wickets. Hardik also pointed out that the series win against a formidable opponent like England at their home turf means a lot to the side.
“The past is past, the Manchester semi-final has passed. You can’t change anything and in cricket, there is no revenge, it does not matter to be honest. For us it was important how we go forward from here.
England have been fantastic throughout the last couple of years, everyone found England one of the best teams in the world. To come here and perform and win is more important.”
Post the T20I and ODI series victory over England, India will now travel to West Indies to feature in 3 ODIs and 5 T20I matches. In-form Hardik Pandya will feature in the 5 matches T20I series against West Indies which kickstarts on July 29 in Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad.
