Hardik Pandya’s brilliant maiden five-wicket haul in the on-going third Test put team India on the commanding position. Coming into bat after wrapping up India’s first innings for 329, England openers Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings started their innings steadily. The hosts were 46/0, trailing by 283 runs at lunch.
But after lunch, England struggled as Indian bowlers bounced back in style. Hardik Pandya’s 5/28 crushed English’s batting line-up. They were bundled out for just 161.
Earlier, Pandya faced a lot of criticism for his poor all-round performance with the ball and bat as well in the opening two Test matches. Some critics even demanded to remove ‘all-rounder tag’ from him.
Following his career-best performance (5/28), Pandya silenced his critics by saying that he doesn’t play for them.
“I don’t play for them (critics). They are getting paid for saying things which I don’t even want to know or care. I play for my country. I am doing the right thing. My team is happy with me, nothing else matters,” Pandya said.
Further, on his comparison with former Indian captain Kapil Dev, Pandya said that comparisons are unwarranted.
“Comparisons are fine. But the problem with this (comparison) is that all of a sudden when something goes wrong and they are like he is not that. I have never wanted to be Kapil Dev. Let me be Hardik Pandya. I am good at being Hardik Pandya, and I have reached here till now – played 40 ODIs and 10 Tests being Hardik Pandya, not Kapil Dev.
MUST WATCH: @hardikpandya7 on comparisons with former greats & his maiden fifer in whites that rocked England on Day 2 at Trent Bridge – by @RajalArora
P.S. Teammate @klrahul11 takes up mic duties #TeamIndia #EngvINDFull Video Link __ https://t.co/iosvVdkju6 pic.twitter.com/9YzJDnY0e6
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 20, 2018
“They have created their era, let me be Hardik Pandya. Let’s stop comparing me with anyone. I will be happy if you don’t,” he said yesterday after a game-changing performance.
Meanwhile, India ended the second day at 124/2 in their second innings. They are now leading with 292 runs.
Cheteshwar Pujara (33) and skipper Virat Kohli (8) were at the crease when umpires dislodged the bails for the day.
