Justin Langer, Australian coach on Sunday, described Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s match-winning innings of 42 off 22 balls in the second T20 International against Australia at Sydney as an “incredible spectacle” and likened him to former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a finisher.
Swashbuckling Hardik Pandya struck 42 not out off 22 balls as he finished the task of seeing India win T20I series with one match remaining. He accomplished opener Shikhar Dhawan’s efforts to achieve Indian victory with a scintillating 36-ball 52 as the duo set up India’s series-clinching six-wicket win.
Justin Langer: Hardik Pandya Is Dangerous Like MS Dhoni In Past
“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.”
Justin Langer admitted that India were too good for Australia with a lot of experienced and specialist T20I 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 an important part in India’s creditable win by scoring a vital 40 runs off 24 balls, and Justin Langer praised the India captain for some “extraordinary” shots he played on Sunday. He maintained that Virat Kohli is the best player he has probably ever seen in both limited-overs and Test cricket.
“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 Justin Langer, his side Australia thought they had scored enough runs on the board to defend the stiff target and India had to bat really well to win the match.
“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.”
The 2nd T20I turned out to be a close contest as India reached the daunting target with two balls remaining. Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya scored 37 runs in last three overs to see India win by six wickets.
Justin Langer Praises Mitchell Swepson And Matthew Wade Despite Australia Losing
Justin Langer also praised Australian leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson, who was most economical among Australian bowlers and returned with figures of 1-25 besides taking catches of openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan.
“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),” Jutin Langer added.
Matthew Wade was assigned captaincy since regular limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch was injured. Matthew Wade scored 58 off only 32 balls with 10 boundaries and a six to see Australia reach a commendable total of 194/5 which didn’t prove sufficient at the end. Wade also took Virat Kohli’s catch off Daniel Sams who took his maiden wicket in T20I.
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,” Justin Langer concluded.
India won the match and series by six wickets in 2nd T20I after winning the first T20I by 11 runs. Australia won the preceding ODI series by 2-1 after India won the last dead rubber ODI by 13 runs.