India's Hardik Pandya bowls during the third one-day international cricket match between New Zealand and India at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on January 28, 2019. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP) (Photo credit should read MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP/Getty Images)
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Indian National Cricket team all-rounder Hardik Pandya have made a decent comeback to the national setup during the third ODI against New Zealand at the Bay Oval. Meanwhile, India wrapped up the series 3-0 with two matches still to play.
Meanwhile, chasing a modest total of 244 runs, a steady 113-run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli set the tone for India. Previously, Shikhar Dhawan provided a blistering start smashing few boundaries early. However, India lost both Kohli and Sharma within a span of few overs but Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik saw India home.
Earlier in the day, India made two changes going into the third day. MS Dhoni had to sit out with a hamstring strain while Hardik Pandya came in for Vijay Shankar. Put to bowl first, the new ball bowlers sent two New Zealand batters back to the pavilion within the powerplay. Post that, Ross Taylor along with Kane Williamson tried to build a partnership to bail the Kiwis out of danger. But a brilliant effort from Pandya at the mid-wicket put an end to Williamson’s innings. He dived on to his left to pluck onto a stunner off Yuzvendra Chahal.
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In addition to, with the bowl, he was economical to return with two for 45 in his full quota. He dismissed Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner in quick successions to run down the middle-order. This will boost Hardik Pandya’s confidence who found himself in the middle of controversy recently.
Pandya expresses his gratitude
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended Pandya in the wake of his controversial comments on a talk show. Moreover, they also asked him along with KL Rahul to return to the country before the Australia series. However, BCCI appointed Committee of Administrators decided to lift the ban provisionally. Soon after that, BCCI asked Pandya to join the squad in New Zealand.
Following India’s victory at the Bay Oval, Hardik Pandya took to Twitter to express his gratitude on Twitter. The upcoming few games will be crucial for the Baroda all-rounder to prepare for the World Cup.
“Thank you,” Hardik Pandya tweeted after the game.
