IND vs NZ: "It Is Very Difficult To Find The Ability That Hardik Pandya Provides To The Indian Team" - Irfan Pathan On Hardik Pandya

Team India clinched the three-match series against New Zealand with a 90-run win in the third and final ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Tuesday (January 24). Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised Hardik Pandya’s all-round performance, saying it would be difficult to find another player of his calibre.

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya smashed a quick-fire half-century in the final match, scoring 54 runs off 38 balls. Following the fall of wickets in quick succession, he put on a crucial 54-run partnership with Shardul Thakur to help India reach a mammoth total of 385 runs. The 29-year-old shone with the ball as well, dismissing Finn Allen for zero in the first over of the Kiwis’ innings.

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It Was An Exceptional Shot – Irfan Pathan

During the post-match discussion on Star Sports, Irfan Pathan said that Hardik Pandya can contribute with both bat and ball. The former Indian cricketer said that the Baroda player showed his ability and range of shots in his innings.

“He is an extremely crucial player. You need a player who can both bat and bowl to get the balance. It is very difficult to find the ability that Hardik Pandya provides to the Indian team. You will find very few players like him in world cricket,” Irfan Pathan said.

“He first showed his might in batting. The shots he played, the straight pull he hit – he was playing tennis on the cricket ground. It was an exceptional shot and after that also he showed his power and range in the other shots,” he added.

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It Is Extremely Difficult To Stop Him – Irfan Pathan

Pathan said that it would be difficult to stop Hardik Pandya when he is in form. Pathan said his knock came at the right time when other batsmen were struggling with the old ball.

“If he is in form, it is extremely difficult to stop him. The knock came at the right time and fast as well because the other batters were finding it difficult to score against the old ball, but Hardik Pandya did not have that much difficulty.”

Hardik Pandya will lead Team India in a three-match T20I series against New Zealand, with the first match scheduled to be played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi, on Friday, January 27.

Also read: IND vs NZ: “It’s A Gentle Reminder To Everyone That A Century Cannot Be Scored In Every Match” – Aakash Chopra On Virat Kohli

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