India’s sensational all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been a standout performer in the ongoing tour to Australia. After giving impeccable performances by scoring two nineties in the ODI series, Hardik played a vital role in India winning the T20I series.
On Sunday. Hardik Pandya walked out to bat at No.5 as the Men in Blue were chasing a total of 195 runs. He gave a blockbuster performance and scored an unbeaten 42 off 22 balls. He smashed two massive sixes in the last over and took team India to the line.
Though, he is now bowling in the ongoing tour to Australia but he has proved himself to be capable of playing for the country as a specialist batsman.
Hardik Pandya seals it for #TeamIndia.
INDIA WIN by 6 wickets and clinch the T20I series 2-0.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Hx3YfmukEr
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2020
Later, after the team won the match, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli showered praises on Hardik Pandya. Kohli stated that Hardik is taking up responsibility and making the most of the talent he has. When asked about Hardik’s heroics in the game, Kohli said:
“The reason for him [Hardik Pandya] coming into the team in 2016 was pure ability, and you can just see that he has natural raw talent with the bat and when he was bowling as well. He’s quite experienced after playing a lot of T20 cricket in the IPL and for India too.”
He also asserted that Hardik has realized that this is his time to prove himself in order to cement his place as a middle-order batsman for the next 4-5 years. He said:
“He realises that this is his time in the next 4-5 years to become a bankable middle-order player that can win you games from anywhere. You need that finisher, and he’s becoming that for us. He’s hungry, he’s going to keep getting better.”
He added:
“His plans are ideal, and he plays with a lot of heart. You can’t win games like this by calculating through your mind, you need to bring that passion out while playing for your country. He’s certainly got that, competing and executing at the highest level. I’m very happy to see that and I hope he keeps going strong.”
