Veteran India spinner R Ashwin applauded experienced India all-rounder Hardik Pandya for answering a tough question regarding Sanju Samson in none other than MS Dhoni’s style in the post-match conference after the end of the T20 series in New Zealand as well. Ashwin also said that since Pandya and Dhoni are very close friends, it might have helped Pandya as well.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said: “I don’t know if he wanted to say that in Thala Dhoni’s style because we all know that Hardik is super close to Thala Dhoni. He handled a tricky question that is always trending on social media very beautifully. So, kudos to Hardik. He knows it’s not personal. It’s got to do with the situation. I am a peoples’ person. So if anyone needs me, I will be there for them. Everyone knows that if they feel anything at all, my doors are always open for them to come and have a chat with me, because I understand how they are feeling.”
However, Sanju Samson got the chance to play in the first ODI series in New Zealand and he scored 36 off 38. He remained unbeaten in the team’s last series against South Africa, scoring 118 runs in three matches as well.
However, R Ashwin further praised the all-rounder Hardik Pandya for his blitzy 30 in the third T20I, as the match finished in a tie as per the DLS method after the rain affected the play. He also shared that Pandya’s knock helped the team not to lag behind the par score as well.
R Ashwin: “Hardik Pandya replicated what he did for Gujarat Titans with the bat”
However, Hardik Pandya came to bat when India struggled at 21/3 in 2.5 overs. He scored an 18-ball 30 to take India to a par score of 75/4 in nine overs as well.
R Ashwin further said: “Hardik Pandya replicated what he did for Gujarat Titans with the bat. He came out with all guns blazing. That was the only reason the match got tied.”
However, Team India won the series 1-0 as they won the second T20I by 65 runs, where Suryakumar Yadav hit a hundred, while the opening T20I was abandoned due to rain as well. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya won’t be available in the three-match ODI series in New Zealand and Bangladesh. Shikhar Dhawan will lead the ODI series, taking place in Auckland on Friday (November 25) as well.
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