Pandya returned with the figures of 4/24 with the ball and scored 71 runs with the bat.
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya on Sunday (17th July) said that it was important for him to stop the runs and bowl as many dot balls as he could in the series-decider at Old Trafford, as India beat England by 5 wickets to win the ODI series 2-1.
While it was Rishabh Pant, who bagged the Player of the Match award in the third ODI, Pandya was awarded Player of the Series for his all-round performance as he scalped 6 wickets and scored 100 runs with the bat.
Pandya’s best came in the series decider, where he got better of the England team with both bat and ball. He took 4 wickets to register his career-best figures of 4/24 that helped India bundle out the hosts for 259 runs.
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With the bat, he played a masterful knock of 71 runs in 55 balls. What stood tall was his innings came in the pressure situation when India had lost their top 4 for just 72 runs. Pandya stitched a crucial 133 runs partnership with Pant, who scored an unbeaten 125, and helped his side win the match by 5 wickets and clinch the series by the margin of 2-1.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Hardik Pandya said that he enjoys bowling with the white ball and it was important for the bowling unit to set out the plans and execute them.
“White ball is something close to me. We all know how good a team England is. For us as a team it was important to come here, set out the plans what we'll bowl and execute it. Important for me to stop the runs, bowl as many dot balls,” Pandya said.
Hardik said he loves bowling short as it gets him into the game. He also talked about his battle with Liam Livingstone.
He also lauded Pant for playing the situation and said that it changed the game for them and the way the wicketkeeper-batter finished the match was special.
“They were cruising at one point. I love short balls. Don't fancy people taking me on. Gets me into the game. Don't mind getting hit for six sixes also if I can get a wicket. That's his (Livingstone) game as well, he takes his chances,” he said.
“I always feel I'm shameless as a bowler. Don't care how far I get hit. We all know what talent he (Pant) has. Finally today he was playing the situation. The partnership changed the game for us. The way he finished the game was also special,” he said.
Hardik has been rested for the ODI series against West Indies but will be a part of the five-match T20I series starting on July 29.
(Sky Sports inputs)