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Did Hardik Pandya’s Batting or Bowling Win The Match For India?

Hardik Pandya starred with the ball and bat at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in UAE as India defeated arch rivals Pakistan on 28th August. The Men in Blue recorded a 5 wicket win in a last over thriller during the second match of Asia Cup 2022. 

WHAT. A. WIN!#TeamIndia clinch a thriller against Pakistan. Win by 5 wickets 👏👏

Scorecard – https://t.co/o3hJ6VNfwF #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/p4pLDi3y09

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 28, 2022

The Indian cricket team had a fantastic outing with the ball after Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bowl first. Bhuvneshwar Kumar shined with the ball taking 4 wickets in his full quota while conceding just 26 runs and registering an economy of 6.5. 

How did Hardik Pandya fare against Pakistan?

Pandya, on the other hand, also caught the limelight with his bowling after managing to concede just 25 runs in 4 overs while taking three wickets. The 28 year old broke Pakistan’s 3rd wicket partnership by getting rid of Iftkhar Ahmed. His wicket of Mohammad Rizwan also turned out to be a crucial point for India as the Pakistani opener was sent back to the hut on 43. 

After impressing with the ball, it was time for the 28 year old to shine with the bat. India’s batting did not go the way they would have wanted with KL Rahul walking back to the hut within the first over. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli steadied the ship but failed to get going against the Pakistan attack with Suryakumar Yadav also being dismissed for just 18 runs.  

The pressure built on Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja as they played a match winning partnership for the 5th wicket to hand India the victory in the last over. While Jadeja scored a quick fire 35, it was Hardik Pandya whose 33 runs from 17 balls gave the the Men in Blue a chance to take revenge of their 2021 T20 World Cup defeat.

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Hardik Pandya was adjudged with the Player of the Match award for his overall contribution during the high octane clash between India and Pakistan. Speaking with the media after receiving his award, the 28 year old shared his thoughts on his overall capabilities.

Hardik Pandya said: “In bowling, it’s important to assess the situations and use your weapons. For me, bowling short and the hard lengths have been my strengths. It’s about using them well and asking the right questions to make the batters commit a mistake. “

Moving onto the batting aspect, he claimed, “In a chase like this, you always plan over-by-over. I always knew that there is one young bowler and also one left-arm spinner. We only needed 7 off the last over but even if we needed 15, I’d have fancied myself. I know the bowler is under more pressure than me in the 20th over. I try to keep things simple.”

The 28 year old has become an invaluable asset for the Men in Blue over the last few months. Rohit Sharma is expected to continue and rely on Hardik Pandya to contribute in any way possible as they begin preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.  

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