Australian coach Justin Langer has heaped praise on Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya after he finished the game for India in the second T20I in Sydney and stayed unbeaten. In the process, he equated Hardik’s finishing skills with MS Dhoni, who is arguably the nest finisher in limited-overs cricket.
Hardik scored 42 off 22 balls and with Shreyas Iyer added 46 in the final five overs to help India win the game and the series with one match to go. The all-rounder from Baroda struck two massive sixes in the last over to take India home.
Speaking at the virtual post-match press conference, Langer spoke very highly of Hardik Pandya. He even termed Pandya’s knock as an incredible spectacle.
“It was an incredible spectacle of a game. We know how dangerous he (Pandya) is. In the past, we had MS Dhoni and the way he (Pandya) played today… He has played really well all summer so, obviously, it was a great innings in the end there,” Langer said at the virtual post-match press conference.
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It Was a Close Game: Justin Langer
Australia head coach Langer further said that it was a close contest but the experience of the Indian players helped them take the game away.
“I thought the whole game was a very close one. Our fielding was absolutely incredible, it was electric to watch, but India with their experienced T20 players were too good for us today,” said the Australia coach.
Justin Langer also lauded Virat Kohli for his brief but impactful innings. he scored 40 off 24 balls which included an AB DeVilliers-like shot for six.
“Some of Virat (Kohli’s) shots, I have said for years he (Kohli) is the best player I have probably ever seen. Some of the shots he played tonight were extraordinary and (they got) good opening partnership and got over the line,” Langer said.
The final T20I will be played on Tuesday, December 8. Meanwhile, the Test series then begins in 10 days time. The first of the four Tests will be played in Adelaide from December 17 to 21. Melbourne will host the Boxing Day Test from December 26-30. Sydney will host the third (January 7-11) and Brisbane (January 15-19) the fourth and final Test match.
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