India vs Australia: Hardik Pandya the answer to Team India's all-rounder problem
Indore: Hardik Pandya is the talk of the town after his outstanding innings in first three matches have helped India clinch ODI series against Australia. While India was in need of genuine all-rounder, Pandya seems to have answered the question and search may have come to an end.
The Mumbai Indians’ star was seen as India’s future. Not afraid to play big shots, his playing style often led to his downfall. The past couple of months have seen Pandya turn around his game. His innings of 76 off 43 deliveries in the ICC Champions Trophy final in June against Pakistan gave the world a glimpse of his batting power.
Inspite of playing such a blistering knock, there were questions about him being a player on whom Team India can depend on during the crises, and it seems like the all-rounder have come of the age and shown his maturity when needed.
In the current series against Australia, he started off with 83-run knock off 66 balls in the first ODI in Chennai while in the Kolkata ODI he just scored 20 runs. The scores in first two ODIs came while he was batting at No 7. In the third ODI in Indore on Sunday Pandya was promoted up the order at No 4, and the all-rounder did not disappoint the coach and captain as he played match winning innings of 78 runs in 72 balls.
Openers Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane had set up a good platform for Team India with a 139-run opening stand. But two quick wickets left India reeling at 147/2. After Manish Pandey failed to score in the first two ODIs, Pandya was given chance to show his capabilities. The all- rounder had skipper Virat Kohli at the crease to guide him.
Hardik took his time to settle in, once he looked set he went after Australian spinner Ashton Agar. Along with Kohli he stitched a 59-run partnership as the Indian scoreboard read 203/2 in the 36th over. However, two quick wickets of Kohli and Jadhav brought the pressure on young shoulder.
The moment had come for Hardik to show that he can change his game according to the situation. Pandya handled the situation with maturity allowing Manish Pandey to play his natural game. He kept on rotating the strike and played big shots only when it was needed or when the ball was there to be hit. The 23-year-old all-rounder was finally dismissed for 78 runs, but he had ensured that India were on the brink of victory with 10 runs to win.
The innings played by Hardik in Indore proves that not only he has brought maturity to the game, but the team can rely on him during crunch situation.
