SYDNEY: Australia coach
Justin Langer on Sunday described India all-rounder
Hardik Pandya‘s match-winning innings in the second T20 International as an “incredible spectacle” and likened him to former captain
Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a finisher.
A swashbuckling Pandya struck 42 not out off 22 balls as he finished what
Shikhar Dhawan had set out to achieve with a scintillating 36-ball 52 to set up India’s series-clinching six-wicket win.
“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,” Langer said at the virtual post-match press conference.
“He has played really well all summer so, obviously it was a great innings in the end there.”
Langer admitted that India were too good for his side with a lot of experienced T20 players in their ranks.
“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.
Virat Kohli also played a part in India’s win with 40 runs off 24 balls and Langer praised the India captain for some “extraordinary” shots he played on Sunday.
“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,” the former Australia opening batsman said.
According to Langer, his side thought they had enough runs on the board to defend and India had to bat really well to win the match.
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In Pics: Hardik Pandya powers India to thrilling T20I series win over Australia
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<p><em></em>Hardik Pandya smashed two huge sixes in the final over to give India a dramatic 6-wicket win over Australia in second T20I, sewing up the 3-match series for the tourists with a game to spare. (AFP photo)</p>
<p>Chasing a steep 195 for victory, India needed 14 runs from the last over and Pandya delivered with two runs off the first ball and sixes off the second and fourth deliveries, the latter flying deep into the stands at the SCG. (Getty Images)</p>
<p>Australia’s bowling attack, making do without Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins, had kept the contest tight. But debutant Sams was unable to contain Hardik, who finished with 42 runs off 22 balls and was named Man of the Match. (AFP photo)</p>
<p>The victory brought delight to a crowd mostly supporting the tourists and, after Friday’s 11-run victory in Canberra, secured the series ahead of Tuesday’s third and final match in Sydney. (AFP photo)</p>
<p>Openers Shikhar Dhawan (52) and KL Rahul (30) had given the tourists a strong start, and when skipper Virat Kohli took up the mantle, it looked like India might reach their target with some ease. (AP photo)</p>
<p>Kohli looked in great shape as he stroked the ball around the ground, but his innings ended on 40 after he chased a high, wide delivery and was caught behind to give Sams a notable first international wicket. (AFP photo)</p>
<p>Earlier, with Aaron Finch ruled out by a hip injury, Matthew Wade was named Australia’s 11th Twenty20 captain, and he led from the front with a typically aggressive 32-ball 58. (Reuters photo)</p>
<p>Opening with D’Arcy Short, the wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 10 fours and a six to lay a decent platform for Australia’s innings before being run out in farcical circumstances, caught ball-watching as Kohli dropped him at cover but collected the ball and hurled it in to Rahul at the stumps. (Reuters photo)</p>
<p>Steve Smith, whose leadership credentials have been ignored since completing his ban for his part in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, went on to make a solid 46 before he was caught by a juggling Pandya on the boundary. (AFP photo)</p>
<p>Seamer T Natarajan, who impressed on debut with 3-30 in the series opener, was again the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 2-20 from his four overs. (AP photo)</p>
“I am proud of my players. It was a great spectacle, on a Sunday night India versus Australia, it got so close, it was a really exciting game. We batted really well, had enough runs and thought India would have to bat really well.”
Langer also had words of praise for his leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson, who returned with figures of 1-25.
“I thought Mitch (Mitchell) Swepson bowled really well, he was excellent tonight and served the value of playing two leg-spinner bowlers. Mitch bowled well, (also) took a couple of catches, he has had a really good performance.
“And Matthew Wade batted beautifully at the top of the order, Steve Smith also batted well, so plenty of good contributions, what stood out to me was the athleticism in the field.
“Didn’t quite get us there, but we certainly had our chances to win the game like most of the games we have played … since the England (tour).”
Talking about stand-in-skipper Matthew Wade, Langer said, “He did a really good job, mixed the bowling around well, that catch to get Virat out was an excellent catch. He had a good game.”
The third T20 International will be telecast live on Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 3 and Sony Six channels on Tuesday from 12.30pm.