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‘Throwing Punches In Pressure..,’ Hardik Pandya After India’s Asia Cup 2023 Triumph

Aakash Saini

image-lmnhihuoHardik Pandya celebrates a wicket with teammates (AP)

Team India demolished Sri Lanka in a lop-sided Asia Cup 2023 final to clinch their eighth continental title. After Mohammed Siraj scythed through the Sri Lankan top-order, star all-rounder and team vice-captain Hardik Pandya polished off the tail to fold up tournament hosts for just 50 inside 16 overs.

The ‘Men in Blue’ openers Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan effortlessly shrugged off their target to record India’s greatest ODI win in terms of number of balls remaining.

After the match, Pandya praised Siraj for his sublime new-ball blitz and also described team’s game-plan prior to the title clash.

Pandya praises Siraj for creating chances at the top

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Sri Lanka lost opener Kusal Perera within the opening over to Jasprit Bumrah. Mere moments later in the game, Bumrah’s new-ball partner Mohammed Siraj struck four times in an over to pack half of Sri Lanka’s line-up for just 12.

Hardik Pandya, employed by skipper Rohit Sharma after the first 10 overs, instantly piled on the Lankan pain by knocking out the final three wickets of the innings to finish with 3-3. After the match, the all-round maverick spoke about team’s mindset and usual planning ahead of crunch games, and stated that losing the toss turned out to be a blessing in disguise for them.

“As a group, we spoke about finishing games and throwing punches in the pressure situation. It was a good toss to lose, we wanted to bat as well.”

Hardik Pandya also hailed Mohammed Siraj for his career-best and match-winning figures of 6-21. The senior cricketer acknowledged the speedster for generating chances at the top by utilising the swing on offer.

“I think our new bowlers, especially Siraj bowled really well. He got it swinging and created a lot of chances. Nowadays in ODI cricket, the new ball has been swinging and we have been speaking about getting the most. The first few overs, the ball didn’t even hit the bat.”

After clinching the 2023 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, Hardik Pandya and the rest of his teammates will face Australia in a short home series in a bid to prepare for next month’s World Cup 2023 in India.