Hardik Pandya played an instrumental role with both bat and ball in India’s thrilling four-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at MCG on Sunday (October 23).
The all-rounder returned with the figures of 3 for 30 in his four as the Men in Blue restricted Pakistan to 159/8. He then produced a crucial knock of 37-ball 40 and was involved in a 113-run partnership with Virat Kohli (82* off 53 balls) to script India’s victory from the jaws of defeat.
Having earned two crucial points, Rohit Sharma and his men are now gearing up to take on Netherlands in their second Super 12 game at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 27.
Ahead of the fixture, speculations were rife that Pandya will be rested against Netherlands but bowling coach Paras Mhambrey on Wednesday (October 26) made it clear that the management is not looking to rest anyone.
"We are not going to rest anyone. I think we have momentum going in the tournament, you need individuals to be in the form as well. Some haven't gotten an opportunity to like bat, so it is important for them to have game time. Hardik wants to play all matches. We are not looking at whom to rest. He is an important player for us, he is bowling as well as batting for us. Other than that, his attitude on the ground like in the last match he played a crucial inning," Mhambrey said in the press conference on the eve of the match.
"Yes, Virat finished the match for us but at such a stage if you want an experienced player to take the match to the end then the pressure will obviously shift on the opposition. So, I think Hardik deserves a lot of credit for Virat's performance. When he went in to bat the conditions were different I think 4 wickets had already fallen. It was not an easy phase. I think the experience that Hardik brings in is irreplaceable," he added.
Young left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh starred with the ball in India’s campaign opener, returning with figures of 3-32 in his four overs, which included the prized scalps of Babar Azam (0) and Mohammad Rizwan (4).
"If we follow Arshdeep for the last couple of years, looking at the way he's performed I think the one thing that stands out with that kid is his ability to build pressure. He did hard work in IPL and he is doing hard work in different phases he bowls (for India) that is the powerplay and then death overs," Mhambrey said in the press conference.
"The composure he has shown, the clarity of thought process. He is a great kid. I think there will be ups and downs in his career but the way he has come back after Asia Cup, and his ability to handle pressure is phenomenal and I am not really surprised by the way he bowled in the first game. We have a lot of confidence in him and he has a good future."
Commenting further on Arshdeep, the bowling coach said: "Arshdeep is kind of a guy who likes to talk a lot. He had a chat with other senior players like Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) and Mohammad Shami as well because those guys have played out here."
"It is kind of a learning that he has taken and tried to implement in his game. I had like to give credit to him as well. To be able to go out there and execute and do it yourself individual skills come in," he added.
(With NDTV inputs)
