Former Indian batsman, Aakash Chopra revealed all-round sensation Hardik Pandya’s ability to hit the ball long and far, is his specialty which was equally on display, in the first game of the five-match One-day International series at M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
“[Hardik] Pandya’s six-hitting ability [is] special,” Chopra wrote for ESPNcricinfo.
As Chennai proved more sort of a citadel for Pandya, who eventually rose to the occasion as the batting all-rounder than fast bowling in his early international stage.
The cricketer-turned-expert Aakash believes Pandya’s strength lies in his choice of hitting the ball down the ground which further makes him threatening against the competitive bowlers.
“The other thing that stands out in Pandya’s hitting is his preference of targeting the straight boundary as much as possible,” Chopra mentioned.
Interestingly, the supremely talented Pandya tore apart Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa, as the former smashed three consecutive sixes.
In a similar fashion, Pandya, who has taken his role serious earlier, took on Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan in the ICC Champions Trophy final at the Kennington Oval in London, where the former smashed three consecutive maximums, before ending the rookie’s over who conceded 23 runs.
Chopra, who has been the part of commentary panel in the recent past, feels Zampa did all right with the ball, but Pandya was way ahead and ready to go downtown, in his fashion – to dominate the 25-year-old spinner at Chepauk.
“There was nothing wrong with what Adam Zampa. [He] bowled flatter and fuller in the hope of making it difficult for Pandya to get under the ball and get requisite elevation,” Chopra maintained in his write-up.
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Pandya is marching to make big while giving his best both with the bat and a ball and against Australia Pandya scored quickfire 83 off 66 deliveries, before dismissing visitors skipper Steven Smith (1 off 5) and Travis Head (5 off 6).
“Pandya stands out, for unlike most batsmen, he doesn’t need to use his feet to gain momentum while going aerial down the ground,” Chopra observed.
The 39-year-old former right-handed batsman Chopra played 10 Tests for India, in which he scored 437 at an average of 23 between 2003 and 2004.
Chopra also hailed the young all-rounder Pandya for keeping the bowler thinking about the adjustment regarding the line and length on the 22-yard surface.
(Read out an interesting story: Why Hardik Pandya Wore Mumbai Indians Gloves During Chennai ODI?)
However, Chopra felt Zampa, who had been the part of Indian Premier League (IPL), franchise Rising Pune Supergiant(s) could have targeted the batsman with ‘slower and wider’ deliveries after a big heave from Pandya saw the ball landing into one of the stands.
“Anyone who can hit sixes against spin without using the feet will be an asset because the bowler doesn’t have any inkling of the batsman’s plan and can’t adjust,” Chopra asserted.
In his breezy knock, Pandya smashed five maximums and five boundaries at the strike-rate of 125.76, before falling into the bag of Zampa itself when top-edge found James Faulkner completing a simple catch at short third-man.
After making his debut against Australia at Adelaide in January 2016, Pandya played 22 ODIs, 19 Twenty20 internationals and three Tests for India to claim 44 wickets. He is averaging 59.33 in Tests, 39.10 in the 50-over format.