Former India cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar lauded Hardik Pandya for his calmness and handling things patiently during the high-pressure chase against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022 on Sunday (August 28) in Dubai.
Notably, in the much-awaited match of the Asia Cup 2022, the all-rounder first took 3/25 in his four overs and then shared a 52-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (35) for the fifth wicket to get Team India out of a tricky situation against Pakistan.
Later, Hardik (33*) went on to finish off the match with a big six to secure a 5-wicket win for India against Pakistan. Pandya was named the Player of the Match for his stunning all-round efforts.
Sanjay Manjrekar said while speaking on SPORTS18's show 'SPORTS OVER THE TOP': “Just his calmness. I mean everything about him is currently unreal. His bowling returns are unreal, which is fine, which is something that you get with others as well. But his ability to keep calm and get runs under pressure.”
Speaking about the final over against Pakistan, the commentator noted: “That last over, you know on Sunday night was a tricky one because Hardik was in there and played the faster bowlers mostly and he was hitting the path. There was a rhythm of hitting against the quicker bowlers and suddenly the situation was such that Pakistan had to bring in the left-arm spinner in (Mohammad Nawaz).”
Manjrekar signed off by saying, “And Jadeja getting out to the first ball and then he had four balls to get those runs. The pressure is immense but the kind of shots also that he played to get those winning runs under pressure is just outstanding.”
India next plays Hong Kong on August 31 in the Asia Cup 2022.
