IND v AUS: Hardik Pandya reckons he is in a pretty good zone ahead of the third T20I

Hardik Pandya made his comeback to the Indian squad against Australia after almost 15 months owing to a back injury and the Covid-19 pandemic. The all rounder has proven to be a vital cog in India’s batting order in Australia. Often criticized for not converting his starts into a big innings, Hardik Pandya shunned down […]
 
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IND v AUS: Hardik Pandya reckons he is in a pretty good zone ahead of the third T20I

Hardik Pandya made his comeback to the Indian squad against Australia after almost 15 months owing to a back injury and the Covid-19 pandemic. The all rounder has proven to be a vital cog in India’s batting order in Australia.

Often criticized for not converting his starts into a big innings, Hardik Pandya shunned down his critics after scoring two 90 plus scores against Australia in the ODI series. Even with Pandya slotting into the team as a pure batsman, he has become a vital member of India’s batting lineup.

Hardik Pandya revealed that in the midst of the lockdown, his main aim was to find where his focus will be. Leading up to the Indian Premier League in September, the Pandya Brothers discussed ways to finish off games when it mattered the most.

Hardik Pandya ended the IPL season with 281 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 178.98. Only Kieron Pollard and Jofra Archer had better strike rates than the Indian all-rounder. Hardik Pandya played a few handy knocks from the middle order when called up on to do so, guiding Mumbai Indians to their fifth IPL title.

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IND v AUS: Hardik Pandya reckons he is in a pretty good zone ahead of the third T20I

“I felt that throughout the IPL I was batting well. It’s just that when I feel it is my time to do it and the team wins, that’s the happiest [feeling],” said Hardik Pandya after finishing off the second T20I for India.

“Not getting too overwhelmed with the situation,” says Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya handed India a victory in the second T20I at Sydney after chasing 14 runs in the last over. He registered a score of 42 runs in just 22 balls to guide India to a series victory over Australia. Pandya was up against Daniel Sams in the final over, needing 14 runs to win the match. He hit two long sixes on the leg side to chase down the target, and he was adjudged the man of the match.

“It can be, it can not be as well [being in the best batting phase of his career],” Hardik said. “It’s just that it’s now getting highlighted because we’re always top-heavy. We’ve always seen India winning games when the top three score runs and I think this is for the first time we’ve got the opportunity where we have had to step it up and do it. And I think I am in a pretty good zone.”

“I am not getting too overwhelmed with the situation. I am trying to keep it neutral. It’s my job which I just did well. Now with time I don’t think I am getting too excited about things,” he added.