Hardik swung the ball while opening the bowling for India in the third ODI.
With this defeat, the Men in Blue didn’t only complete a 3-0 whitewash but also displaced New Zealand from the top spot in the ICC ODI team rankings.
After the game, India all-rounder Hardik Pandya spoke about the comprehensive series win and his swing bowling.
Hardik was tasked to open the bowling in the third ODI and he displayed his ability to seam and swing the ball, something that was not a part of his armoury before.
"I've always enjoyed bowling with the new ball. Getting satisfaction from swinging the ball both ways - which I started recently - helps," Hardik told the hosts broadcasters.
"When I came back I had to work on my alignment, which helped in swing and now I'm able to use the seam. Earlier my action would mean the ball would go down leg and I couldn't use the seam. Now I'm much straighter and can swing it away too," he added.
Pandya was seen clutching his back in the ODI series opener that led to speculations about an injury. However, he dismissed the rumours saying that things were fine and he was fully prepared to take on the workload.
"I'm feeling wonderful, it was planned (the workload). I feel good and fully prepared to play the sport," the all-rounder stated.
"This pitch has some pace so it will be great if they leave some juice or grass the next time. It might still be a 350-360 pitch but with something," he concluded.
Hardik Pandya will now be seen leading the Indian team in the T20I series against New Zealand, starting January 27 in Ranchi.
(India Today Inputs)