IND vs NZ: “Would Have Liked To Win The Game By Playing The Full Overs” – Hardik Pandya After 3rd T20I vs New Zealand

The third and final T20I match of the series between Hardik Pandya-led India National Cricket Team and Tim Southee-led New Zealand National Cricket Team ended in a tie at McLean Park in Napier on Tuesday, November 22, after rain interrupted the game and the scores of the teams were levelled on the DLS method.

The Men In Blue managed to seal the series 1-0, having won the second T20I by 65 runs at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, November 20. Notably, rain also played a spoilsport in the first T20I, which was set to be played at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Friday, November 18, and the game was abandoned with a ball bowled.

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Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Hardik Pandya said that they would have liked to finish off the match by playing full overs. Hardik elaborated:

“Would have liked to win the game by playing the full overs, but it is what it is.

“At some point, I felt attack is the best defence on this wicket. We know the kind of bowling attacks they have, it was very important to get those 10-15 runs extra even though we lost a couple of wickets.”

I’m going back home, taking my time off and be with my son – Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya, who is not a part of India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, further said that he would be taking some time off and going back home. He said:

“A game like this could have given us an opportunity to test some of the players, but having said weather is something we cannot control. I’m going back home, taking my time off and be with my son.”

Talking about the third T20I, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh bowled brilliantly to restrict New Zealand to 160. Siraj was the pick of the bowlers as he finished his spell with the figures of 4-0-17-4 and Arshdeep complemented Siraj perfectly and finished his spell with the figures of 4-0-37-4.

During the run-chase, India’s Kishan-Pant experiment failed once again also Shreyas Iyer was sent back for a golden duck and Suryakumar Yadav scored 13 runs to finish off his remarkable year in T20I cricket.

India were at 75/4 in 9 overs with Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda in the middle before rain interrupted and the match was called off.

Also Read: IND vs NZ: Rishabh Pant’s Lean Patch Continues As Twitter Reacts After Batter’s Poor Run Against New Zealand In The 3rd T20I Match