For Pandya, it is all about ‘reading the situation’

:Hardik Pandya has been the game-changer for India in the series against Australia. His 83 in the Chennai ODI and his magnificent stand with MS Dhoni ensured India reached a big total.

In Indore, batting at No 4 for the first time, he displayed maturity to help India win by five wickets and seal the series in style.

In this series, Pandya has established a blueprint which will ensure momentum will swing India’s way. The key factors in this plan are --- read the situation accurately, identify the moment to change, hit big shots consistently to begin the process and then dictate terms to the opposition.

In Chennai, India was reeling at 87/5. Virat Kohli’s side faced a real test. For Pandya, it represented a challenge.

The youngster responded brilliantly. India reached 148/5 in 36 overs with Pandya on 35 from 45 balls. Having taken the team to a semblance of safety, Pandya seized the moment and smashed three big sixes and a boundary off wrist spinner Adam Zampa in the 37th over. Twenty two runs were scored and the game turned --- 109 runs came in the last 13 overs and Australia were deflated.

MATURITY IN INDORE

In the Indore ODI, chasing 294, India started aggressively, thanks to Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane. When Pandya was promoted to No 4 for the first time, it raised eyebrows. But, as revealed by Kohli after the win, the plan was to attack the spinner and it was proposed by coach Ravi Shastri.

The plan worked wonders. Pandya went after Ashton Agar and hit him for four sixes. His partnerships of 56 and 78 with Kohli and Manish Pandey also showcased his maturity where he could hang in and play according to the situation. Pandya’s feats in this series underlined a method with which he approaches his batting.

After clinching the series, Pandya, in his typical swagger, stated that reading the situation was important. “It’s not just about hitting. That time (Chennai), I thought Zampa was bowling and that I could hit a six off him anytime. If I feel like, I go for it,” he added.

When it comes to hitting big sixes, Pandya had a simple answer, “I have been hitting sixes since childhood. I’m confident I can clear the ground.”

Pandya’s all-round feats have led to comparisons with Kapil Dev.

However, for the moment, he would love nothing more than to hurt Australia again.

INDORE HARDIK PANDYA’S FEATS IN THIS SERIES HAVE UNDERLINED A METHOD WITH WHICH HE APPROACHES HIS BATTING.