Xtra Time Web Desk: A couple of years back Hardik Pandya was sent home unceremoniously from Sydney, with fans jeering him at the Sydney Cricket Ground nets, following the Karan Johar TV show fiasco. Two years on, he is the hero at the same venue, with everyone going gaga over his heroics against Australia top snatch a win from the claws of defeat. Leading the praises was none other than the Indian captain Virat Kohli who said that Hardik Pandya has raw talent and the all-rounder realizes his time has come in international cricket.
Pandya and Shreyas Iyer chased down 37 runs from the final three overs as India defeated Australia by six wickets in the second T20I of the three-match series on Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground. With this win, India gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
“The reason was Hardik coming into the team in 2016 was pure ability. He has raw talent. And now he realises that this is his time, the next 4-5 years, to be that bankable player that can win you games from anywhere. His plans are right and I am glad to see that. We had a word before the game to ride the atmosphere, and the energy from the fans,” he added.
India and Australia will now lock horns in the third and final T20I on Tuesday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.