Hardik Pandya Declares He Will Bowl In The Third ODI Against England

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was one of the three players to score half-centuries in the third ODI against England. Hardik Pandya brisk innings gave India 329 in the series-decider against England, and they might have a hard time defending, given the tourists chased 337 in the second comfortably. Hardik Pandya laments, leaving a few more runs in the middle and believes India have to bowl exceptionally well. Most of all, he declared he will bowl in the third ODI.

After a blazing start by India in which Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan joined to accumulate a 103-run opening stand, England hit back with three quick wickets. Adil Rashid dismissed the openers, followed by Moeen Ali removing the big fish – Indian captain Virat Kohli for 7. KL Rahul perished for a scratchy single-figure score, following which Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya stitched a valuable partnership.

Pant and Pandya added 99 off 73 balls before the former departed for 78 as Jos Buttler took a one-hand catch behind the stump. Hardik Pandya got out unluckily as he tried to shuffle by exposing stump and Ben Stokes struck the leg-stump to send him back for 64. Pandya’s innings contained five fours and four sixes as he was the second-highest scorer for the hosts. India could’ve got many more runs had Krunal Pandya been able to dish out some lusty blows. Pant top-scored with 78, followed by Shikhar Dhawan’s 67, and Pandya’s 64 guided them to a reasonable healthy score.

We need to bowl proper balls and make it as difficult as possible: Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya conceded that they would have indeed liked a few more runs; however, he backed the Indian bowlers to defend it. The 27-year old revealed that he was not concerned about not reaching three figures, but wanted to continue batting with Rishabh Pant to have many more runs on the board. Pandya stated that they targeted getting to 390 and declared that he would bowl today, unlike the last two ODIs.

“We don’t have much option, but would have liked a few runs. I don’t think the plan was much different. If it’s there, we just like to back ourselves. I’m not disappointed at missing out on the hundred. If myself and Rishabh would have batted on, it would have been different. At one point, we were looking at 390. We need to bowl proper balls and make it as difficult as possible. We want to be smart. I will bowl today,” Pandya said in the mid-innings break.

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