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ENG vs IND 2018: Hardik Pandya Rates KL Rahul's Knock as the Best so Far

By Ankush Das

Updated - 10 Jan 2019, 01:35 AM

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar believes that Hardik Pandya is going to be crucial in the ongoing three-match One-day International series against England. Pandya has shown an upward swing in his improvement graph. Meanwhile, Pandya had done a fine job in the recently-held Twenty20 International series. In fact, he had scalped four wickets in the T20I decider after going for 22 runs in his first over. Furthermore, he had provided the finishing touches as he scored a quickfire 33 off just 14 balls. Hardik Pandya Hardik Pandya. Credits: AFP Thus, Gavaskar believes that Pandya will have a major role to play in the 50-over series. Meanwhile, as Pandya is India's fifth bowler, Virat Kohli will hope that he completes his quota of ten overs. Promising youngster Pandya can be expensive in his bowling, however, he has shown more control in the recent past. Meanwhile, the part-time spinner Suresh Raina can chip in with some crucial overs. Moreover, India will not have the services of Jasprit Bumrah which is going to leave a big void in the team alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the opening ODI at the Trent Bridge. "Bumrah's absence will be felt for he combines brilliantly with Bhuvaneshwar at the top as well as at the end of the opposition innings. Pandya put his hand up and bagged four wickets to break the England momentum at Bristol and he will be crucial with both bat and ball," Gavaskar wrote in his TOI column. Sunil Gavaskar Sunil Gavaskar (Credits: Getty Images) The Little Master Gavaskar added that the form of Shikhar Dhawan is a concern for the Indian team. However, the southpaw opening batsman has had great success while playing in the English conditions in the 50-overs format. "In batting, the only concern is Shikhar Dhawan who didn't score many in the T20 series but he relishes the 50 over format". Furthermore, the legendary batsman Gavaskar penned down that India will face a tricky question of playing one or both spinners. Kohli had dropped Kuldeep Yadav in the third T20I decider against England. However, the chinaman returned to the final XI. "India too will be thinking whether to go with both Chahal and Kuldeep or just pick one spinner. Of course, if the weather stays bright and sunny, there's more chance for the spinners on a dry pitch to get the ball to grip and turn".
Hardik Pandya rates KL Rahul's knock as the best. Getty Images

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India’s premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya has rated KL Rahul’s match-winning century against England in the first T20I at the Old Trafford as the best knock he has ever seen.

The best knock I have seen

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav did the early damage rattling the English side for a mere 169 after getting a fiery start. Jos Buttler guided the English to get past 150 after Kuldeep’s brilliance. Umesh Yadav also made his comeback to count chipping in with two wickets.

However, in reply, David Willey castled Shikhar Dhawan’s stumps in the first over.  Since then, it was a one-man show, KL Rahul, who is going through the form of his life. He stood tall to Virat Kohli’s call of sending him at one drop with a swashbuckling century.

The Karnataka batsman was classy throughout playing his shots all around the park. He dominated the English attack, as they struggled to make inroads into Indian batting.

Getty Images

Rahul played some glorious cover drives and also came down the track to lift it over the fielders.

Rahul played his shots while Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rotated the strike. Moreover, the stylish batsman struck ten boundaries and five sixes to bring his second T20I hundred, as India went 1-0 up in the series.

Pandya talks highly of Rahul

Pandya, who didn’t have an impressive start to the tour lauded Rahul’s knock on social media. He also rated it as the best knock he has ever seen.

“One of the best knocks I have seen,” the post read.

Also Read: Ambati Rayudu to mentor junior Super Kings on the UK tour

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