Internet Desk: A blistering 83 by Hardik Pandya and a patient 79 by former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni helped the hosts to register 26 runs victory over Australia via D/L method in the first ODI at Chennai last night. At one stage the Men in Blue were 11 for 3 and everybody started thinking that they will fell like a pack of cards just like the Champions Trophy final, but young Pandya and experienced Dhoni held the innings together and helped the hosts to post a convincing total on board.
After the match Pandya said that a couple of fielding successes would have completed his day.
“It was a good day for me. Couple of catches would have helped. It feels pretty good,” Pandya said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
The all-rounder from Mumbai said that he hasn’t changed a bit from day 1 and it might be the people who have started seeing him with a different angle.
“I don’t think anything has changed. I’m the same Hardik, perhaps a bit calmer than last year. Maybe people’s thinking has changed. I just wanted to play my game,” Pandya expressed.
According to Pandya he and Dhoni both knew the tactics of Adam Zampa and from that point of time they started to target him
“I knew what he (Zampa) was going to bowl. We were planning and eventually I targeted one over. I liked it and eventually it helped,” Pandya revealed.
Pandya thanked his coach and said that “a wonderful bunch of people around me” help him perform better.
“As a cricketer, it is important to have the right form. I am glad I am doing well in the batting department and bowling department. I have a wonderful bunch of people around me. I’d like to thank my coach.”