Gautam Gambhir reckoned that Hardik Pandya was able to play another rescue innings for India because he had gained that confidence after his stint in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 for Mumbai Indians (MI).
The all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is only playing as a pure batsman, amassed unbeaten 42 runs off 22 balls to chase down a challenging 195-run target against the hosts Australia to win the second T20I. With that victory, India also sealed the T20I series though they are yet to play the last match in Sydney on Tuesday.
Needing 25 runs off the final 12 balls after fetching 12 in the 18th over, Pandya brought the equation down to 14 in the last over with two fours in the 19th over. The all-rounder then hit two sixes to seal the match in India’s favour and also claim the player of the match honour.
Hardik Pandya is among few players who can chase down any target: Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir is not stunned with Hardik’s knock because he reckons that the swashbuckling batsman has done that for Mumbai Indians umpteenth time.
“Hardik Pandya has played these kinds of innings in the Indian Premier League, and when you come into international cricket on the back of good innings in the IPL, then your confidence is very high. Pandya has played innings like these for Mumbai Indians. So, in that sense, he did not do anything new on Sunday (against Australia in 2nd T20I),” Gautam Gambhir said.
But he acknowledges that Hardik Pandya is among few players like Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni who are capable of chasing down any target.
“There are very few players like Hardik Pandya, there was Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni earlier and there is Glenn Maxwell now, they are capable of chasing any total or any target. Even if you need 20-25 runs in the last over, these players make you believe that they can score it,” Gautam Gambhir said on ESPNCricinfo.
Meanwhile, India and Australia will play the last T20I on Tuesday (December 8) at Sydney Cricket Ground.