ENG vs IND: Rohit Sharma Is Fantastic At Managing My Workload - Hardik Pandya After Career-Best 4/24 In Third ODI

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was the toast of the third ODI against England which is being played in Manchester on July 17, 2022, as he recorded his career-best bowling figures in ODIs, taking 4/24 as the hosts were bundled out for 259 runs in the series-deciding encounter.

Rohit Sharma had won the toss and chose to field first despite the history at the Old Trafford ground suggesting that the team batting first has won the majority of times in the recent matches. India made one change with Mohammed Siraj coming in for Jasprit Bumrah who had a back spasm.

India started off well as Siraj removed both Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root for ducks in the second over the innings, while after a short partnership between Jason Roy (41) and Ben Stokes (27), Hardik Pandya got into action, removing both the batters with terrific short balls, leaving England 74/4.

The Body’s Fine, The Captain Is Fantastic At Managing My Workload: Hardik Pandya On Rohit Sharma

Moeen Ali (34) and captain Jos Buttler (60) added 75 crucial runs, but then Ravindra Jadeja sprang into action, getting Ali caught behind and removing the dangerous Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone with excellent catches, on the bowling of Hardik Pandya.

Pandya bent his back and extracted good bounce from the surface and reduced the chances of England getting to 300 by picking his career-best ODI bowling figures of 4/24. Along with him, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s (3/60) superb bowling effort helped India bowl out England for 259 in the series-deciding third and final ODI.

Talking about his fitness and bowling effort, Hardik Pandya mentioned how well captain Rohit Sharma has handled his workload while in conversation with broadcasters during the innings break.

He said: “I had to bend my back a bit, change my plans and realise you need to use the short ball as a wicket-taking ball. I always fancy my bouncer. Livingstone likes to take the short ball on and that gives me goosebumps. He hit me for two sixes, but one wicket made a big difference. The body’s fine, the captain is fantastic at managing my workload. The chase is about intent, the wicket is pretty good to bat on. We’ll fancy our chances to chase it down.”

Besides Pandya and Chahal, Mohammed Siraj (2/66), and Ravindra Jadeja (1/21) were the other wicket-takers for India.

Also Read: Watch – Hardik Pandya Comes Up With A Barrage Of Bouncers And Sends Back A Set Ben Stokes For 27