Hardik Pandya played a key role with both bat and ball in India’s thrilling five-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022 match in Dubai on Sunday (August 28).
After India opted to bowl first, Hardik returned with the bowling figures of 3 for 25 in his four overs, helping his team bundle out Pakistan for just 147 in 19.5 overs.
During the chase, the Men in Blue were struggling at 89/4 in the 15th over when Hardik Pandya arrived in the middle. The all-rounder stitched a crucial 52-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja to put India on the brink of victory.
While Jadeja (35) got out within a touching distance from the victory, Hardik (33* off 17 balls) held the one end firmly and finished the chase in 19.4 overs with a huge six over long-on.
After the game, Hardik Pandya spoke to Ravindra Jadeja for bcci.tv and said he would have gone for that six even if Pakistan would have put 10 instead of 5 fielders outside the circle in the last over.
“Seven runs were not looking that big for me. Even if there were 10 instead of 5 fielders outside the circle, I would have hit,” Pandya stated.
When Hardik Pandya came to the crease, India needed 59 off 34 balls but the all-rounder said there was no pressure on him during the chase.
“The only time emotions got the better of me was when you got ou, but there was no pressure. In my opinion, the bowler was under a lot more pressure than me. I was looking for him to make a mistake. When he moved the fielder in the deep, I knew he would bowl back of a length, and I connected it,” he said.
Life came to a full circle for Hardik on Sunday. During the Asia Cup 2018 match against Pakistan, he was stretchered off the field for an ‘acute lower back injury.’
“It was all coming back. I was taken out of the ground on the stretcher. Same opponent, same tournament, same dressing room. I was remembering everything,” Pandya said.
He credited Team India’s physio Nitin Patel and strength and training coach Soham Desai for his comeback after injury.
Hardik said: “There was a sense of achievement after the things, which had happened with me and then to get the opportunity like this.. the journey has been beautiful. We are reaping the fruits of our hard work, but there are people who work tirelessly behind the scene. I will credit my comeback to Nitin Patel and Soham Desai.”
According to the all-rounder, this win will help the Indian team in the future whenever they will be in trouble during the chase.
“Very happy to get this win. It was very important for us; our nerves were checked as a team we were challenged as well.
“The Indian team is always known for their top 3. So we are very grateful that we also got the opportunity and we’re able to finish the game. If we will be in this situation again, we will take inspiration from this match,” he added.
India will face Hong Kong in their second Asia Cup 2022 match on Wednesday (August 31).
