Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya defended Harshal Patel, who conceded 49 runs in his four overs in the 1st T20I against Australia on Tuesday. As a result, the Men in Blue failed to defend 208 runs to go 0-1 down in the three-match T20I series.
Harshal, who suffered a rib injury a couple of months back, returned to the side during the three-match T20I series against Australia. He was rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy before joining the Indian side.
However, the veteran pacer didn’t look at his usual best in the series opener. He conceded 22 runs in the 18th over of the match, which helped the Aussies gun down the target with four balls to spare.
While Harshal Patel was at the receiving end of severe criticism, Hardik Pandya came out in support of the fast bowler. Hardik was asked whether the Harshal over was the turning point, the allrounder turned the tables with a sarcastic response. Addressing reporters at the end of the game, the ace all-rounder said:
“Aap batao, mujhe nahi pata. humko pata hota toh abhi tak game mai he rok dete na. (You tell me, I don’t know. If we knew, we would have stopped that in the field itself).”
“Pinpoint kuch nahi kar sakte aap kabaai bhi” – Hardik Pandya on reason behind India’s defeat
Hardik Pandya also added that one cannot pinpoint what moment changed the game because even Australians bowled expensive overs. He continued:
“Dekho sir, pinpoint kuch nahi kar sakte aap kabhi bhi. Wo game hai, Un logon ke side say bhi over mai 24-25 runs aye hain toh usse kuch farak nahi padta. Bilateral series hai, aur 2 match milenge, behtar hone ki koshish karenge (We cannot pinpoint, it’s a game and even they bowled few expensive overs. It doesn’t make any difference. There are two more matches and we will try to improve).”
India will have a lot of work to do ahead of the second fixture on Friday, September 23, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
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