India vs Australia 2017: Krunal Pandya Reveals The Promise Hardik Pandya Had Made Before The ODI Series
Updated - 26 May 2019, 01:53 PM
An elated Krunal Pandya could not hide his feelings after his brother Hardik Pandya fulfilled the promise he had made prior to the start of the recently-concluded five-match One-Day International series against Australia. Krunal revealed that his younger brother had told him he would set the stage on fire and the former could not have asked for a better response as Hardik starred with both bat and ball against the world champions.
The 23-year old began the series with a career-best knock of 83 that helped India to post a respectable total when they were reeling at 87 for 5. He complemented it with a couple of wickets including the prized scalp of Steve Smith.
In the next game, he once again took two wickets and scored 20 runs before scoring a match-winning knock of 78 when promoted at number 4 in the third game. In the fourth game, he was promoted to number 4 again and scored a crucial 41, but it came in a losing cause. And although he did not get a chance to bat in the fifth and final ODI on Sunday (October 1), he made his mark with the ball, breaking the 66-run stand between Aaron Finch and David Warner.
Overall, the Baroda star finished the series with 222 runs and 6 wickets to bah his maiden Man of the Series award.
Delighted with his brother’s performance, Krunal tweeted:“Just before the #INDvAUS series, @hardikpandya7 told me he will set the stage on fire & today I can proudly say, “you did it… and how!”
Just before the #INDvAUS series, @hardikpandya7 told me he will set the stage on fire & today I can proudly say, “you did it… and how!”?? pic.twitter.com/ORoYAwAhWz
— Krunal Pandya (@krunalpandya24) October 1, 2017
Pandya junior was quick to reply as he tweeted:
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) October 1, 2017
Meanwhile, captain Virat Kohli also lavished praise on Pandya after the series win as he said:“Hardik Pandya is the biggest asset (from the series). Selection dilemma is always a good headache for me as a captain because it’s always better to have plenty to pick from and take the best 11 possible.”
