New Delhi, Indian cricket team captain Hardik Pandya understands that when the ball is handed to the batsmen, they do not succeed every time. But he wants to have more batting all-rounders in the team for better bowling options. After Suryakumar Yadav scored an unbeaten 111 off 51 balls, all-rounder Deepak Hooda took 4 wickets with his off-spin bowling as India beat New Zealand by 65 runs in the second T20 international. Hooda was also seen batting aggressively in the lower order.
With this win, India has taken a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. The last match is to be played on November 22. After the match, Hardik Pandya said that it could not have been a better result. All have contributed, but certainly the innings from Surya was special. We would have been happy with a score of 170-175. He said the bowlers did well and it was about being aggressive in mindset. It doesn’t mean taking wickets with every ball but being aggressive with the ball is important.
Hardik Pandya said the pitch was very wet, so credit goes to the bowlers. I have bowled a lot. In future I would like to explore more bowling options. Not that it will always work, but I wish more batsmen would contribute with the ball. Former players such as Anil Kumble and Michael Vaughan have pointed to the lack of bowling options in the Indian team following their exit from the T20 World Cup and have advocated the inclusion of more batting all-rounders in the squad.
Pandya, who is taking charge of the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma, said that his job as captain is to give the team the right atmosphere in the dressing room. He said I expect him to be a professional, which he is. They should be given a chance to enjoy your game. It’s about creating an environment where they’re all in a happy place. Pandya said that I go to this team many times that all the players are happy with each other’s success and this is the important thing.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson admitted it was not his team’s best effort. He said that Suryakumar’s explosive innings turned his game around. He said that Surya’s innings was unique. One of the best innings I have ever played. I’ve never been to some of these shots before. He is a brilliant player. “We didn’t play as expected,” Williamson said.
