Australia head coach Justin Langer said he was reminded of the great MS Dhoni at his peak by Hardik Pandya's unfazed attitude in taking India past the difficult chase in the 2nd T20I in Sydney on Sunday (December 6).
Hardik played a memorable knock of 42* in just 22 balls to take India through to the massive 195-run target set by the hosts. With their six-wicket win, the visitors also took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
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"It was an incredible spectacle of a game. We know how dangerous he (Pandya) is. In the past we had MS Dhoni and the way he (Pandya) played today," Langer said at the post-match press conference, as quoted by PTI.
"He has played really well all summer so, obviously it was a great innings in the end there."
Langer admitted the gap in experience at crucial stages proved to be the real difference between the two sides.
"I thought the whole game was a very close one. Our fielding was absolutely incredible, it was electric to watch, but India with their experienced T20 players were too good for us today."
Langer also acknowledged Indian skipper Virat Kohli's refreshingly quick knock through the middle-overs. After initial jitters, the great batsman looked in control and scored a 24-ball 40. Kohli didn't allow the asking rate to climb beyond India's reach and laid the foundation which Hardik and the rest could take advantage of.
"Some of Virat (Kohli’s) shots, I have said for years he (Kohli) is the best player I have probably ever seen. Some of the shots he played tonight were extraordinary and (they got) good opening partnership and got over the line."
While at praise of Indian batsmanship, Langer did think his team had enough runs on the board to end with a series-levelling win.
"I am proud of my players. It was a great spectacle, on a Sunday night India versus Australia, it got so close, it was a really exciting game. We batted really well, had enough runs and thought India would have to bat really well."
The coach felt the way young leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson (1/25) held up was commendable.
"I thought Mitch (Mitchell) Swepson bowled really well, he was excellent tonight and served the value of playing two leg-spinner bowlers. Mitch bowled well, (also) took a couple of catches, he has had a really good performance," said Langer.
"And Matthew Wade batted beautifully at the top of the order, Steve Smith also batted well, so plenty of good contributions, what stood out to me was the athleticism in the field."
"Didn’t quite get us there, but we certainly had our chances to win the game like most of the games we have played … since the England (tour)."
Wade (58) set the mood of Australia's innings in the first half with a breezy 32-ball half-century, before Smith (46) and the rest carried on the good work.
Missing their first-choice pace trio, the Australians struggled for consistency with the ball, either side of Swepson and Adam Zampa (1/36) controlling the middle-overs.
Regardless, Langer thought stand-in captain Wade did a very fine job as captain.
"He did a really good job, mixed the bowling around well, that catch to get Virat out was an excellent catch. He had a good game," the coach said.
The third and final T20I will be held on Tuesday (December 8).
