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ADMIN

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  13. ADMIN
    Ranked no. 2 in ODIs, the Indian cricket team was left red-faced after losing two consecutive matches and subsequently the 50-over series against Australia. But, a reinvented approach and some noticeable changes saw them picking up a consolation win in the third and final ODI in Canberra.
    While their triumph in the dead-rubber didn't hold much importance, it did give India some much-needed momentum to turn the tide. As it turned out, India got the better of the Aussies in the 1st T20I with a 11-run win at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. And, on 6th December, the 'Men in Blue' made it three wins in a row as they romped to a six-wicket triumph in the 2nd T20I, sealing the three-match series 2-0 with a game to spare.
    © AP
    Opting to field first, the visitors found themselves under the hammer pretty quickly as Matthew Wade, leading the Aussies in the absence of Aaron Finch, hammered Indian bowlers all around the park during his 58-run innings. Steve Smith (46) also chipped in with some sublime shots as Australia posted a mammoth total of 194 runs.

    It was another forgettable outing for the Indian bowling unit, but T Natarajan looked in a class of his own, conceding just 20 runs and taking two wickets. Chasing over 9 runs an over was always going to be challenging for India, but a solid 56-run opening partnership between Shikhar Dhawan (52) and KL Rahul (30) got them going.
    © AP
    After the dismissal of both Rahul and Dhawan, captain Virat Kohli (40) was busy anchoring the run-chase when Sanju Samson, in a bid to accelerate the run-chase, holed out to Steve Smith at long-off. Reeling at 123/3 in 14 overs, India did have wickets in hand but it was the required run-rate, shooting to 12 runs an over, which was clearly a concern for the visitors.

    And, two overs later, Daniel Sams got rid of Kohli who got out chasing a wide delivery, way outside the off-stump, only to edge it into the hands of Wade behind the stumps. With their skipper gone, Hardik Pandya struggling to middle the ball, Shreyas Iyer fairly new to the crease and the required rate ever imposing, India looked in a spot of bother. But, Pandya had other plans.
    © AP
    Requiring 37 runs off 18 balls, India knew they had to target Adam Zampa, who was bowling his last over, before the seamers rushed in at the death. But, the Aussie leg-spinner kept the Indian batsmen guessing with three economical deliveries in the over. Just when time seemed to be running out for India, Iyer unleashed a 111-metre monster six and followed it up with a four on the last ball of the over to keep his side in the hunt.

    The 19th over saw a similar script, the first three deliveries of Andrew Tye's over going for just two runs as Pandya got beaten twice. For someone who broke his bat in the 1st ODI, Pandya, as he claimed in the post-match interaction, has been trying to figure out the right bat for himself. And, after failing to hit the ball on two consecutive balls, Pandya's faith in his bat ran out as he requested for a new willow - something that worked wonders for his team.
    © AP
    After changing his bat, Pandya smashed two consecutive fours to keep the asking rate in check. It eventually boiled down to 14 runs off final six deliveries as Pandya took strike against Daniel Sams. A thick inside edge saw Pandya taking a couple but it wasn't enough. That's probably why he deposited the very next delivery deep into the stands over long-on. Sams came back strong with a dot ball, but Pandya had the last laugh as he clobbered the fourth ball over deep midwicket for another six, sparking celebrations in the Indian dressing room.

    Match winning SIX from PANDYA! ??????#indvsausT20#AUSvsIND#INDvAUSpic.twitter.com/xTWvvznHuv
    — Amit Choudhary #WearMask (@flashpoint_9) December 6, 2020
    It was an exhibition of some heavy-hitting from Pandya that eventually allowed India to win the match and the three-match T20I series. From initially struggling to time the ball to eventually smashing the long sixes, Pandya's innings witnessed a spectacular turnaround. But, it wasn't just mad-hitting from Pandya that was on show. The self-belief and confidence in his own abilities was quite evident in Pandya's performance.
    © AP
    In the post-match interaction, Pandya gave an insight into his approach to the crucial situations in the game. "It's pretty simple. I really like to see the scorecard and play. It lets you know the kind of shots and options you have. All my matches, I've realised you always have more time than you realise in T20 matches. No matter the target - we've got 80-90-100 in the last five before, and I take confidence from that," he said after guiding India to an emphatic win.

    One gets the feeling Hardik wants the situation to be difficult so he can do just that.
    An extraordinary temperament in such situations.#finisher #AUSvsIND
    — Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) December 6, 2020
    For a man who was deemed irresponsible and boorish following his controversial remarks on a TV show, Pandya has come a long way to not only grow as a cricketer, but also as a person. His reinvigorated approach towards the game, bolstered by confidence and faith in his own skillset is what makes him an indispensable asset, as it turned out in Sydney, for Team India.

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