It is often said that whenever a finishing chapter comes in cricket’s book, it will be written by one and only MS Dhoni.
Throughout the years during his cricketing career, Dhoni made us believe that no target is unachievable and a game can be turned from any time in favour if you keep yourself calm and calculative.
Team India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been assigned the finishing duties after the departure of MS Dhoni from international cricket. The match against Pakistan in Asia Cup on August 28 was highly buzzed and it was the last over when the winner was decided for that absolute thriller.
Hardik Pandya has always admired MS Dhoni and he has learnt a lot from the former India captain. The idea to target the weak bowler, taking the game deep and then winning it for the team, this is what Dhoni did for years with so much of success ratio. After finishing the game with a six against Mohammad Nawaz, Hardik Pandya revealed that he had channeled his inner Dhoni in the chase.
After the match Hardik Pandya had an interesting conversation with Indian formers Gautam Gambhir and Sanjay Manjrekar. Pandya said that Dhoni was best in the business and he is trying to emulate the same what captain cool did.
Hardik Pandya said,”Jitna me simple rakh saku me koshis karta hu. Obviously Mahi bhai also, jab bhi unke saath khela hu dekha he maine, zyada maine sawal kiya nehi but nehi bhi dekha toh bhi main manta hu ki as a cricketer, sirf unse nehi, jo jo players ke saath maine khela he jo jo cheez me le sakta hu maine liya. I feel that agar koi decision life me bhi lena ho if you are calm and are able to asses the situation better than behtar decision le sakte ho.”
He further explained, “Batting mein bhi me same cheez use karne ki koshish karta hu ki mere paas kya kya options he Yeh game actually mere liye 15th over se start hua tha. I knew that the death bowler is making his debut today, I knew ki execution me thoda upar niche hoga. So agar yaha pe bhi dot balls huye toh problem nahi kyunki ek left-arm spinner he and unlogo ka over-rate me bhi kam tha. So yeh sab cheez factor karke socha ki akhri tak rahe and behtar option liye.”
In the match against Pakistan, Hardik smashed 33 runs off just 17 balls and also clinched 3 wickets while bowling. For this spectacular performance, the all-rounder was adjudged man of the match.
