India allrounder Hardik Pandya, who held up his end and scored a resolute 40 as Virat Kohli set off the fireworks in the other end against Pakistan, talked about a chat he had with his close ones before the match.
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In an clip shared by BCCI, Pandya said, ” I was very happy to be at the situation I was at. Being here, playing for my country, having such wonderful people and cricketers around me. I just had a feeling, you know, that’s why before the game, I took a punt saying to all the closest people of my life which are my brother, my wife, my sister-in-law, my mother and my manager. I messaged them saying I am gonna put on a show for you guys tonight and whatever I do is for you. Because I wanted to be accountable. It has happened in the past, a couple of people I say it’s going to be special and it has been special. I don’t say it every day.”
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹!👍 👍
🎥 @hardikpandya7 tells a tale of his special chat with the family ahead of the #T20WorldCup game against Pakistan. 👏 👏 #INDvPAK#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/20WNIxxOIZ
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— BCCI (@BCCI) October 24, 2022
“I had the self belief. I knew I prepared well and I was just numb. I was very calm throughout the time, did not get any goosebumps, nothing. I just was very calm because I knew I had to focus on things which I have worked on and if I can get these things sorted,” he added.
In the match, Pandya had joined Kohli when India were left in tatters at 31 for 4 and struck 40 off 37 balls in a partnership of 113 for the fifth wicket. While the all-rounder was not at his aggressive best, Hardik, who also picked up three wickets with the ball in a fine spell earlier in the day, did play an important role in helping Kohli to play his natural game at the other end.
