IND vs ENG: "I Don't Think There Was The Sort Of Control We Saw For Gujarat" - Graeme Swann Lauds Hardik Pandya For His Show In 1st T20I Against England

In the first Twenty20 International between India and England, Graeme Swann praised Hardik Pandya for continuing the momentum started by Deepak Hooda and Suryakumar Yadav. 

Pandya led the visitors’ scoring with a 33-ball 51 as they gave the hosts a 199-run target to reach. The Indian bowlers then reduced England to 148 runs, allowing their team to defeat England by a commanding score of 50 runs. 

Graeme Swann Impressed By Hardik Pandya

Swann was questioned about if this was a controlled version of Hardik Pandya, who can bat at various speeds, during a conversation on Sony Sports. 

He responded: “I don’t think there was the sort of control we saw for Gujarat because for Gujarat he was taking his time. He came out today and I was very impressed with how he carried on the run rate that SKY (Suryakumar Yadav) and Hooda had managed.” 

It is not always simple for a new batsman to sustain the run pace established by the batters before him, the former England spinner noted. 

Swann elaborated: “Sometimes when teams get off to a flier, it is hard for the new man to come in to keep up with them, but he did that today. He looked brilliant today – with the bat, with the ball, I was very impressed. Wonderful knock from him.” 

When Hooda’s wicket fell in the ninth over, Pandya walked out to bat and smacked six fours and a six. The Men in Blue were able to achieve an impressive total because of the partnerships he later formed with Yadav and Axar Patel. 

Hardik Pandya Bowling Four Overs More Beneficial Than Wickets He Got: Ajit Agarkar

After the first T20I, former Indian bowler Ajit Agarkar was questioned about Hardik Pandya’s success with his back-of-the-length bowling. He replied: 

“That’s why sometimes he can go for a few because at the length and the pace that he bowls, a set batter can get after him. Got a wicket early after he got hit for a boundary by [Dawid] Malan. I thought this pitch will suit him.” 

Agarkar finished by saying that Pandya’s ability to bowl four overs will be more beneficial to Rohit Sharma’s cause than the wickets he got. 

Agarkar explained: “Fortunately for him, he came when [Jos] Buttler was out, Jason Roy was struggling a little bit and he got Malan early. But he did his job, he stuck to that length and he does have that little bit of zip every time he gets it right.” 

He added: “Wickets were a bonus, it’s the four overs that he can give India if he stays fit is going to be the real key for Rohit Sharma.” 

Hardik Pandya beat his previous best stint of 4/38, which also occurred against England, by finishing with figures of 4/33 in his four overs. 

Also Read: IND vs ENG: India Skipper Rohit Sharma Credits Batters For Showing ‘Intent’ In 1st T20I Against England