ENG vs IND 2018: Hardik Pandya Credits Ishant Sharma For Maiden Five-Wicket Haul In Tests

India allrounder Hardik Pandya has credited his senior teammate Ishant Sharma for his stunning spell on day two of the third England vs India Test at Trent Bridge.

It was a performance that Pandya would remember for a long, long time. The allrounder has been coping criticism in recent times for his inconsistent performances. However, on Sunday (August 19), he proved his worth in gold as he picked up his maiden five-wicket haul to put India on the driver’s seat.

The match was finely poised when Virat Kohli handed the ball to Pandya. England were 86 for 3 in reply to India’s 329. From thereon, it was just one way traffic as Pandya blew away the hosts. On his very first ball, Pandya dismissed England skipper Joe Root. The allrounder did not look back and went on to demolish the English lineup.

After going wicketless in his next two overs, he took as many as four in the next two. In his fourth over, he accounted for Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes to leave England reeling at 118 for 7. Bairstow edged one to KL Rahul at second slip while Pant took an excellent catch behind the stumps to dismiss last match’s centurion Woakes. In his fifth over, the allrounder dismissed Adil Rashid and Stuart Broad to complete his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests. It took him less than 5 overs to pick up the five wickets for just 28 runs.

As a result, England were all out for just 161. In reply, India finished the day on 124 for 2 with their overall lead extended to 292.

Speaking after the game, Pandya revealed how Ishant’s advise helped him make a mark with the ball.

“Ishy [Ishant] was telling me the same thing: don’t go for the wickets, if you keep bowling at the rights areas, you have the talent to get them. That’s the same thing I tell him and same thing which we tell other bowlers. Keep it tight, let’s see what they do, let’s check their patience and once again we saw the result what happens,” he revealed.

He further said taking a fifer pleases him more than scoring a ton.

“I am happier with taking five-wicket haul than scoring a hundred. I have taken very few five-wicket hauls, I think this is the second of my life. and it has come at a very important place so I am very happy,” said the allrounder.