Team India won the three-match series against New Zealand with a 90-run victory in the third and final ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Tuesday (January 24). Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised Hardik Pandya’s all-round performance, saying it would be difficult to find another player of his calibre.
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya scored a quick half-century in the final match, scoring 54 off 38 balls. After falling in quick succession, he put on a crucial 54-run partnership with Shardul Thakur to help India reach a mammoth total of 385 runs. The 29-year-old also shone with the ball, dismissing Finn Allen for a wicket in the first over of the Kiwis’ innings.
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It was an exceptional shot – Irfan Pathan
During the post-match discussion on Star Sports, Irfan Pathan said that Hardik Pandya can contribute both with bat and ball. The former Indian cricketer said the Baroda player showed his power and range of shots in his innings.
“He is a very important player. To achieve balance you need a player who can both bat and bowl. The ability that Hardik Pandya has given to the Indian team is very difficult to find. There are very few players like him in world cricket. Dr. Irfan Pathan.
“He showed his strength batting first. The shots he played, the direct pulls he hit – he was playing tennis on a cricket field. It was an exceptional shot and he showed his power and range in other shots after that. she added.
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He is extremely difficult to stop – Irfan Pathan
Pathan said that if Hardik Pandya is in form, it will be difficult to stop him. Pathan said his knock came at the right time when other batsmen were struggling with the old ball.
“When he is in form, he is very difficult to stop. The knock came at the right time and quickly as other batsmen were finding it difficult to score against the old ball, but Hardik Pandya had no difficulty.”
Hardik Pandya will lead Team India in the three-match T20 series against New Zealand, with the first match to be played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Friday, January 27.
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