XtraTime Web Desk: Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar thinks that the Man of the Match award at Trent Bridge should be shared between India skipper Virat Kohli and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya for their remarkable contribution in the third test where India won by 203 runs. Kohli scored 200 runs in two innings in that match and was adjudged Player of the Match, but according to Tendulkar, Pandya’s contribution was not less than Kohli.
“I would have made them share the award. Both players played important roles in India’s victory,” Tendulkar said in reply to a question during a live interaction on his app 100MB.
“Both of Virat Kohli’s innings was very significant. The first innings helped give India a strong foundation and the century in the second innings ensured that India set an improbable target. At the same time, I feel that Hardik also played an important role, especially in the first innings,” Tendulkar said.
While it was Kohli, whose 97 and a 159-run stand with Ajinkya Rahane brought India back in the match in the first innings, Pandya’s emphatic performance with the ball – that saw him register his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests, turned the game on its head.
He was at the forefront of India’s demolition job with five wickets in 29 balls, his best returns as a Test allrounder, on a day on which 16 wickets fell. From 46 without loss going into lunch on Day 2, England lost all ten wickets in the afternoon session. By stumps, India’s lead had swelled to 292 and Pandya, the bowling hero of the day, was chuffed with his performance and the team’s position. He later returned to score a half-century as India sought quick runs before declaring and setting England a target of 521.
As per Tendulkar, Hardik’s five-for was most important as he sent back in-form batsmen like Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and others which gave India a huge opportunity to take lead in the first innings.
“His five wickets were critical. Players like Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow are in-form batsman, and to dismiss them early was vital. He even scored a quick-fire fifty in the second innings to take the target beyond 500. Eventually, it comes down to a matter of opinion,” Tendulkar said.