Indian captain Rohit Sharma heaped praise on Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya after the duo added 133 runs for the fifth wicket to help their team win the deciding ODI by five wickets at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday.
India found themselves in the quagmire at 72-4 while they were chasing 260. The nightmares of the Thursday match when the tourists were bundled out for only 146 were still haunting them but Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant batted at their best.
Pandya was the aggressor in the partnership while Pant took a backseat early on. The left and right-hand batting combination batted with maturity and got runs against the loose balls. Pandya reached his fifty off 43 balls and then Pant followed suit.
Both of these batters batted at the top of their game to help India get over the line. Pandya was dismissed when he was early into his shot however at that stage only 55 runs were required. Pant then went on to add the finishing touches as he scored his maiden ODI hundred. The left-hander smashed five fours in an over against David Willey as he showed no respite.
Rohit Sharma also heaped praise on Yuzvendra Chahal, who took three wickets in the game. Furthermore, Hardik Pandya returned with figures of 4-24, which is his best in 50-overs. Pandya got rewards for bowling short as he bowled with the right pace and length.
Rohit Sharma said in the post-match presentation after the win, “Very pleased. Came here, wanted to achieve something as a group in white ball. We were here last time and were beaten, I remember that. Not an easy place to come and win games. It was a good pitch, but we do understand it’s not going to be easy if we lose wickets upfront. The positive side of it, these guys haven’t batted much in the middle overs. Today we got to see that with Hardik and Rishabh. At no point, we felt they were panicking. They backed themselves and played cricketing shots. He’s a critical member for us (Chahal). Has got so much experience bowling in all formats. Pretty pleased with how he’s come back after the WC. Hardik as well. One side boundary was long, he kept bowling the bouncers and got rewards for it.”
He added, “Not really (Worried about top-order?). To be honest, the wicket didn’t have much. We played some not so good shots. Still back those guys to come out good. One of those series where top order hasn’t come to the party. Have got nothing more to say because I know the quality they bring to the team. We’ve got some solid guys sitting on the bench who’ve been waiting to get a game. Want to create that bench strength. Injuries are bound to happen, have to manage workload, so need to build bench strength. Have got some solid guys who will get their opportunity in West Indies.”
India will tour West Indies for three ODIs and five T20Is.
