Hardik Pandya on The Six: ‘Even if there were 10 instead of 5 fielders outside the circle I would have hit’

Hardik Pandya stated he would have gone for that six even when they might have put 10 as an alternative of 5 fielders exterior the circle within the final over towards Pakistan of their Asia Cup opener.

Pandya claimed 3-25 together with his fiery short-pitched deliveries and helped India to restrict Pakistan to 147 earlier than smashing an unbeaten 33 off 17 balls which carried India to 148-5 with simply two balls to spare.

From @hardikpandya7‘s emotional Asia Cup journey to @imjadeja‘s strong batting show! 👍 👍

The all-rounder duo chat up after #TeamIndia win their #AsiaCup2022 opener towards Pakistan – by @ameyatilak

Full interview 🎥 🔽 https://t.co/efJHpc4dBo #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/MJOij6bDRl

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 29, 2022

In a dialog with Ravindra Jadeja on the BCCI.TV, Pandya stated: “Seven runs were not looking that big for me. Even if there were 10 instead of 5 fielders outside the circle, I would have hit.”

Pandya stated there was no stress on him throughout the chase, and the one time, he confirmed any emotion was when Jadeja obtained out off the primary ball earlier than he completed off the sport in fashion.

“The only time emotions got the better of me was when you got ou, but there was no pressure. In my opinion, the bowler was under a lot more pressure than me. I was looking for him to make a mistake. When he moved the fielder in the deep, I knew he would bowl back of a length, and I connected it,” he stated.

Pandya remembers horrific again damage throughout 2018 Asia Cup

For Hardik Pandya, life involves a full circle on Sunday. Four years in the past, towards the identical opponent, within the Asia Cup (2018), he was stretchered off the sphere for an ‘acute lower back injury.’ He clutched his again throughout his follow-through within the 18th over of Pakistan’s innings earlier than mendacity immobile.

Hardik Pandya was stretchered off the towards Pakistan throughout the 2018 Asia Cup. (Screengrab)

“It was all coming back. I was taken out of the ground on the stretcher. Same opponent, same tournament, same dressing room. I was remembering everything,” Pandya stated after he was requested by Jadeja in regards to the horrific again damage.

The comeback is larger than the setback 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/KlnD4GZ4ZO

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) August 29, 2022

On his comeback journey after the damage. He additionally credited his comeback to Team India’s physio Nitin Patel and power and coaching coach Soham Desai. Pandya stated: “There was a sense of achievement after the things, which had happened with me and then to get the opportunity like this.. the journey has been beautiful. We are reaping the fruits of our hard work, but there are people who work tirelessly behind the scene. I will credit my comeback to Nitin Patel and Soham Desai.”

Jadeja on partnership with Pandya

Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja (35) didn’t let the sport slip away with their 52-run stand for the fifth wicket. The partnership was essential for India as they went on to win the match by five-wicket towards their archrivals Pakistan.

Indian batsmen Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya throughout the Asia Cup 2022 cricket match between India and Pakistan, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE. (PTI)

“Our partnership was very crucial at that juncture. Things that we talked in the middle about backing our strength, it also helped,” he stated.

With leg spinner Shadab Khan and left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz working within the center, Ravindra Jadeja was promoted to No 4. Jadeja stated it was essential for him to take the possibilities towards the spinners as they had been taking the sport away from India.

“This knock was very important for me. When I was promoted in the batting order, the only thing I was thinking was to take more chances against the spinners; the more balls I will play against them, I will get, the more opportunity to hit the big shots,” he stated.

Pandya on the significance of this win vs Pakistan

The match went all the way down to the wire, and Hardik Pandya completed it off for India with two balls to spare. However, the Indian all-rounder prompt this win will assist the crew sooner or later at any time when they are going to be in the identical scenario once more.

“Very blissful to get this win. It was crucial for us; our nerves had been checked as a crew we had been challenged as properly.

“The Indian team is always known for their top 3. So we are very grateful that we also got the opportunity and we’re able to finish the game. If we will be in this situation again, we will take inspiration from this match,” he added.

India will play Hong Kong on Wednesday.