“Whenever things happen to me, the way I planned, it gives confidence,” says Hardik Pandya

я
Hardik Pandya puts an excellent show in all the departments of the game

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya had put on an excellent show with the bat and the ball in the final and third ODI against England at Old Trafford while India sealed a five-wicket win to clinch the series 2-1.

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya had put on an excellent show with the bat and the ball in the final and third ODI against England at Old Trafford. India sealed a five-wicket win to clinch the series 2-1.

When Hardik came out to bat, India was in a spot of trouble having lost four wickets in pursuit of 260. At that point, Hardik played with positive expectation and sewed a game-breaking stand of 133 with Rishabh Pant. Hardik didn’t simply break a volley of shots but also compared his forceful play with singles and twos to place in a complete performance with the bat.

“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 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 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.

With Jasprit Bumrah not playing because of a back spasm, Hardik needed to move forward with the ball. The all-rounder showed his ability to acclimate to various conditions and got the crucial wickets of Jason Roy and Ben Stokes in the middle overs. He then got back to break the undermining stand between Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone by taking the scalps of both the hitters.

“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.

“I had to bend my back a bit. I had to change my plans, realized that this was not the wicket to go full, and go for the short ball, and 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.

Hardik also highlighted 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 has 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.”

Comments

0