Hardik Pandya missed out on his maiden ODI century but the all-rounder played a crucial knock for India in their Asia Cup 2023 opening match against arch-rivals Pakistan in Pallekele on Saturday, September 2. Hardik showcased the maturity of a man who has had considerable experience of leading the side in white-ball formats over the last few months.
Asia Cup 2023: Points Table
Hardik Pandya hit 87 off 90 balls in a show of his excellent maturity. The vice-captain was willing to play second fiddle to Ishan Kishan, who showcased his class with a brisk 82 off 81 balls. The two added 138 runs for the 5th wicket after Pakistan pacers tore into the Indian top-order.
IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2023 Highlights
India were bowled out for 266 in 48.5 overs. Thanks to Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya’s bltiz, Idia posted a competitive total on the board as Jasprit Bumrah was the team’s third-highest run-getter with 16.
The match was called off without Pakistan getting an opportunity to chase as rain played spoilsport and ensured the two teams shared a point each.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were dismissed cheaply by Shaheen Afridi, who came up with a sensational spell with the new ball. Haris Rauf then joined the party with the wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill as India were reeling at 66 for 4.
Just when Pakistan looked to put more pressure on India, Ishan Kishan counter-attacked with a free-flowing mindset while Hardik Pandya put in the hard yards, pinching ones and twos. The two took India to a position of strength before Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah led to another Indian collapse, this time in the endovers.
“I think he will be a little bit disappointed with the way he got out. I think he should have gone on to get somewhere around 120. He will know that,” Matthew Hayden told Star Sports.
“But the reality isâæ the maturity that he displayed, the way he took charge. He knew that his side was in trouble, he knew that Ishan Kishan was at the other end and he hadn’t played a lot of cricket for India in ODis. There was an extenuating situation, plus he was facing a world-class Pakistan attack.
“Those situations, he summed up nicely. He did exactly what he was supposed to do through that middle stage. When the spin came on, he was able to manipulate the strike.
“That was almost like a captain’s knock, the one that Rohit Sharma couldn’t play. Hardik did play,” he added.
Hardik missed out on an opportunity to get to his maiden hundred as he failed to pick a slower delivery from Shaheen Afridi, chipping it straight into the hands of the cover fielder in the 44th over.
India next face Nepal in their final Group B match on Monday in Pallekele.
