Coming into bat with a little more than five overs remaining in the run chase, Pandya had to negotiate the climbing required rate and a potent Pakistan bowling unit. The all-rounder batted according to the situation and finished the game off with a couple of deliveries to spare.
Opining that India would have had plenty of problems in the final overs had the pace bowling all-rounder not fired, Sehwag said on Cricbuzz:
Pandya recorded a spell of 3-25 with the ball, using short-pitched deliveries to great effect. With the bat, he finished unbeaten on 33 off 17 balls, which included four fours and a six.
Praising the Baroda-born cricketer for delivering under pressure, former cricketer Ajay Jadeja said during the same interaction:
Making his comeback on the back of a significant IPL season, the all-rounder is one of the most important assets for the Indian team at the moment. When fully fit, he provides a much-needed balance to the side.
“Now he is just enjoying his cricket as well as his life” - Ajay Jadeja on Hardik Pandya’s resurgence
The Baroda-born player was destined for great things as he was touted as India’s next big pace all-rounder. While injuries and controversies have been a huge obstacle, he has emerged from them and is now arguably performing at his peak.
Noting that the all-rounder was able to excel as a finisher despite playing a different role for the majority of the year, Jadeja said:
He was stretchered off at the same venue against the same opposition four years ago. While he has gone on to lose his place in the Test side since, he has regained the ability to bowl consistently, which is proving to be a game changer for Team India.
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