Hardik Pandya Reflects on Record-breaking Performance
India’s seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya expressed his surprise at registering the second-fastest T20I fifty for India, saying he was unaware of the achievement until after his dismissal. He shared his happiness that the record is still held by Yuvraj Singh.
Pandya dazzled fans with a remarkable 63 off just 38 deliveries, reaching his fifty in a mere 16 balls. This performance helped India post a total of 231/5 and secure a 30-run victory, clinching a 3-1 series triumph.
“Winning games is what you play for and it’s always exciting when your contribution helps the team get over the line. No, I didn’t know (about the second-fastest fifty) until I got out and went back. Our social media guys told me I was the second-fastest. My first reaction was, ‘Ah, I missed the top spot!’ But happy that Yuvi pa holds that record,” Pandya remarked after being named Player of the Match.
He elaborated on his mindset during the innings, noting that he had planned to start aggressively. “Today I just felt it. I actually told my partner beforehand that I was going to step out first ball and try to hit it for six. I was confident it would come off. The situation suited my style; I backed myself and it worked. I took a calculated risk and thankfully it went my way,” he said.
Pandya emphasized that his knock reflected his approach to challenges. “I’ve always enjoyed the challenge. No matter how many setbacks you face, the aim is to come back stronger, better, and make a bigger impact. When it all comes together, it feels satisfying. But the journey continues – the preparation, the planning, the hard work never stops.”
Varun Chakaravarthy Shines with Player of the Series Award
Wrist spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, named Player of the Series, shared his excitement over the high-intensity contest at the Narendra Modi Stadium. “It was a high-intensity match and probably the best game of the series. I really enjoyed it. That’s the role assigned to me; my first option is always to look for wickets.”
Chakaravarthy, who finished with figures of 4-53, highlighted the importance of constant evolution in his game. “Just by constantly evolving, I try to bring something new every series. If it works, great; if not, I go back, work on it and come back stronger. That’s how I keep improving. I would like to dedicate this to my mom, dad, and sister.”
Tilak Varma’s Intent on Batting Surface
Tilak Varma, who contributed significantly with a score of 73 and shared a century stand with Pandya, expressed his focus on maintaining intent on the batting-friendly surface. “I know how the Ahmedabad wicket goes (plays) here. The way Abhishek and Sanju bhai played at the start of the game, I knew that the wicket was good. So I just wanted to maintain that strike rate and show that intent.”
Commenting on batting alongside Pandya, who is also his IPL skipper at Mumbai Inddigihunt, Varma said, “It was incredible batting by Hardik bhai. It was a treat to watch from the non-striker’s end. The way he was hitting was very clean and he was fantastic to watch. Honestly, I don’t have a target in mind when batting. I just want to score as much as I can. We were looking to get 230-240 and we got there in the end.”
Varma concluded by sharing his commitment to improving his bowling. “To be frank, I’m really working hard on my bowling. Hopefully you can see me in the coming games. It’s better to ask Surya bhai (smiles). But hopefully, you can see me bowling in the coming games.”