IND vs ENG: 'No Point Playing When You Don't Give Your 100%' - Hardik Pandya's Big Statement After India's 50-Run Win In 1st T20
Published - 08 Jul 2022, 01:52 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:10 AM
In the opening T20I in Southampton on Thursday, India defeated England by 50 runs thanks to all-arounder Hardik Pandya of India.
India amassed a massive 198-run total because of Pandya’s quick-fire 51 in only 33 balls. After that, he went back to bowl, destroying England with four important wickets: Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Liam Livingstone, and Sam Curran.
Hardik Pandya Becomes First Indian To Score A Fifty And Get 4 Wickets In T20s
Pandya made cricket history in India by being the first player to ever hit a fifty and take four wickets in the same T20I match. The only other Indian all-rounder who came close to him was Yuvraj Singh, who in a 2009 T20I encounter against Sri Lanka hit fifty and grabbed three wickets in the same game.
Pandya remarked in the post-game speech that he was aware of his most recent record.
“The last time I played a T20 in England, I think I took 4 wickets and scored some 30. So I kind of knew I was the first Indian to score fifty and take 4 wickets. I am enjoying my cricket right now,” said the 28-year-old.
I Spend A Lot Of Time On Fitness And Skillsets: Hardik Pandya
Pandya stated in his address that he works on his fitness while taking a vacation from the game. He said that the choice to take a protracted vacation from the game had been deliberate.
“I want success but a lot of time I spend on fitness and my skillsets. For me a lot of time goes into the preparation to get my body ready. Because of the long break that I had, I wanted to get into rhythm. (Bowling quickly)
That was a conscious decision when I decided I want some time off from the game. It is about giving your 100% and when you don’t do that, there is no point playing. So I needed that break and now I am happy to be in this place right now,” said the IPL-winning captain.
He also thinks that having the chance to coach a team in the IPL has improved his performance.
“I’m happy. I’ve always been a kind of individual who has liked responsibility and enhance my game. Captaincy adds some responsibility but for me, I have always been a responsible player,” added Pandya.
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