Hardik Pandya shone with both and ball during India's win over Namibia.
Hardik Pandya shone with both and ball as India registered their biggest ever T20 World Cup victory by a margin of 93 runs against Namibia on Thursday (February 12) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
The hosts smashed 100 in 6.5 overs, the fastest any team has reached the mark in the history of T20 World Cup. Despite the fiery start, Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus (4-20) pulled things back as India had to settle for 209/9 in their stipulated 20 overs.
Opener Ishan Kishan slammed 61 off 24 balls, while Hardik returned with a 28-ball 52. Besides them, no Indian batter managed to touch the 30-run mark.
Chasing the formidable target, Namibia’s innings folded for 116 in 18.2 overs, with Varun Chakaravarthy (3-7), Hardik Pandya (2-21) and Axar Patel (2-20) doing the bulk of the game.
After receiving the Player-of-the-Match award, Hardik acknowledged that the pitch was a bit two-paced and the team would like flatter wickets going ahead.
“I think two back-to-back games in the World Cup has been a little, I wouldn't say batting-friendly. We had to adapt. I think today, even when I went to bat, it felt like the wicket was holding a bit. It was keeping low as well. But yeah, you know, all these wickets in big tournaments, you just adapt and, you know, let your skill set work and understanding the game. And yeah, it was different, but I would, we would like a little bit more flatter wickets,” Pandya said.
The all-rounder stated that he is managing both the skills but takes pride in his batting abilities. "Yeah, definitely, just enjoying the sport. Had a good couple of months to prepare and, you know, get the rhythm and, you know, get the body right. Touchwood everything is going well. I've always taken pride in my batting as an all-rounder. So whenever I get an opportunity, I make sure that both the skills are managed rightly. And yeah, I always mention it quite earlier as well that batting is always close to my heart. And when that comes, it's a, you know, it even adds more sugar to the cake,” he added.
Hardik Pandya, who is prone to injuries, also shared insight on his training regime to manage the body.
“Body has been fantastic. I've always mentioned it takes a lot of hard work, which I cherish. But, you know, playing for the country has always been a pride, always been my number one priority. It just needs extra hard work, which I do. A lot of work goes behind the scene where I'm kind of out and kind of go into army, army sort of a camp where I do morning, evening sessions, which kind of keeps me going. And whenever I come, just before a big series or a big tournament, I kind of give myself a month or something to go and do kind of those routine, make sure I eat well, make sure I sleep well, make sure my habits are good. And you know, it gives me always a great rhythm. And at the same point of time, body gives me immense support while playing,” he remarked.
Commenting on the variety of bowlers in their ranks, Hardik called it the 'strength' of the current Indian T20I side.
“I think that's the strength of this team. We have a lot of options. We have fast bowling covered, we have spin covered. There are days when fast bowlers will come in the party when the wicket offers. And at the same point of time, spinners have been in the middle have been fantastic. Varun, Axar, Kuldeep, whenever he's got opportunity. I think they've been fantastic. At the same point of time, whenever the fast bowlers get opportunity, they've been fantastic. And I think they have done a tremendous job,” he concluded.