Hardik Pandya is turning into a proper limited-overs all-rounder as his bowling in the past few months has elevated to a new level.
Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2022 title taking three wickets in the final vs Rajasthan Royals, has been making a significant impact with the ball on his return to the Indian team.
He was impressive with the ball against South Africa and Ireland and now has hogged the limelight with a couple of stunning bowling performances against England. He took a 4-wicket haul in the Southampton T20I last week and today took another 4-wicket haul in the Manchester ODI; these are his best bowling figures in both formats. And it’s is no surprise that these have come at a time when he’s on the rise.
Hardik Pandya has been in sensational form with the ball
Today, was a spectacular performance as India had been missing their spearhead fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah in this series-deciding third ODI.
After Mohammed Siraj’s early twin strikes, England were back on track courtesy a flurry of boundaries from Jason Roy and Ben Stokes. Introduced in the 10th over, Pandya struck immediately with Roy top-edging his pull. In his third over, Pandya had Stokes with another mistimed pull to a short ball after the batsman had given a charge down the pitch.
He came back later on to dismiss the set pair of Liam Livingstone and Jos Buttler, both not able to clear Ravindra Jadeja at deep square leg while pulling Pandya’s bouncers. Pandya finished with 4/24 in 7 overs out of which 3 were maidens.
The rest was cleaned up by Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja as England were bowled out – for the third time this series in three ODIs – for 259 with still 25 balls left in their innings.
Former India batsman Wasim Jaffer lauded the Indian bowling attack sans Bumrah, and he was particularly effusive in praise for Pandya.
“There were talks about Eng scoring 400 pre series, but the way Indian bowlers have bowled has been great to watch. Can’t remember last time Eng were so tied down in a home series. Boom wasn’t there today but @hardikpandya7 stepped and how,” Jaffer tweeted.
Here, check out Jaffer’s tweet that’s going viral:
There were talks about Eng scoring 400 pre series, but the way Indian bowlers have bowled has been great to watch. Can’t remember last time Eng were so tied down in a home series. Boom wasn’t there today but @hardikpandya7 stepped and how
#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/Hm8vbFSj2x
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 17, 2022
