IND vs AUS: Hardik Pandya gave away the bowling plan, jokes Virat Kohli
India, missing an extra bowler who could play back up to the regular bowlers leaking runs, were forced to turn to a semi-fit Hardik Pandya during Sunday’s second ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
“It (the decision to bowl him) came out of nowhere, I asked him how are he was feeling, he said he was okay to bowl a couple of overs. He got into it and felt a bit better, then he said he will bowl two more overs,” said India captain Virat Kohli after the match.
“He gave away the bowling plan,” Kohli said jokingly as Pandya bowled a decent spell using a change in pace.
Pandya, who had said after Friday’s first ODI that he is not yet fit to bowl in a match, was pressed into the attack in the 36th over after India were finding the going tough with Australia racing to 230 for two in 35 overs. He bowled four overs in spells of two overs each and gave away 24 runs besides picking the wicket of Steve Smith.
He impressed with the ball, varying his pace, slowing it down and picking up the wicket of centurion Smith, who scored a 64-ball 104 to follow his 66-ball 105 in the first ODI.
