The Indian squad was led by Hardik Pandya in the crucial third one-day international against Shai Hope’s West Indies, and the team won by a huge margin of 200 runs to seal the series 2-1. After getting out for scores of five and seven in the first two games in Bridgetown, Barbados, the talismanic all-rounder was short of runs for the series.
In the third ODI at Tarouba, Trinidad’s Brian Lara Stadium, Hardik had an opportunity to take the initiative and improve his form, and he did not let anyone down by slamming a commanding half-century. The 29-year-old batsman got off to a poor start, scoring only 12 runs in his first 24 deliveries. But once he got his eye in, the star from Baroda let loose and hammered the West Indies bowlers whenever they made mistakes with their lines and lengths.
With the help of four fours and five sixes, Hardik added his final 58 runs in only 28 balls to reach 70 in only 52 deliveries. The replacement captain’s final strike rate was 134.62, up from a strike rate of 50 in his first 24 balls. Hardik thanked Virat Kohli for helping him prepare for ODI cricket during his commanding performance. Hardik revealed that Kohli suggested he spend some time in the middle to get accustomed to the 50-over format.
“I recently had a nice conversation with Virat, and he provided me advice based on his knowledge of my career trajectory. He has known me since the beginning of my nearly seven or eight years of international cricket. He gave me some advice that I really appreciated, Hardik remarked during the post-game presentation.
“He just wanted me to spend some time on the crease and get accustomed to the 50 or game as well because we’ve played so many T20 formats, and yeah, that kind of stayed in my mind and I was just waiting for the opportunity,” the author said. I genuinely appreciate him sharing that experience with me, too, he continued.
The five-match T20I series between India and the West Indies, which begins on Thursday, August 3, is their next task. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma, among other intriguing young players, will be part of the team that Hardik will be leading.
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