Hardik Pandya outshined the English batters on Sunday as the star Indian all-rounder took 4 wickets to restrict England for runs in the third and final match of the ODI series at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester.
With each team holding a win, the series is currently tied at one each. India need to chase down the target of 260 runs to win the game and the series. While England, who defended 247 runs in the second game, is likewise confident in their ability to once again limit Indian batters and win the series.
IND Vs ENG 3rd ODI 1st innings:
After winning the toss, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma invited England to bat first, and as per the tradition of the ongoing series, the batting first team lost their top batters quite early as today the hosts faced difficulty after their dependable batter Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root both gone for duck.
Jason Roy, who is struggling with his form, displayed some signs of bring back in form but Hardik Pandya threw water on his dream by removing him for 41.
Pandya then removed Ben Stokes to again put England on pressure. But, the skipper Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali then played a sensible game of cricket and somehow managed to steady their ship by adding 75 runs for the 6th wicket.
But Ravindra Jadeja removed Moeen Ali to again push the hosts on back foot. Although, Buttler, continued his steady knock from the other end and soon completed his half-century.
When everything looking fine for the English side and they were on the track of posting huge target on board, skipper Rohit Sharma called Hardik Pandya, and the all-rounder truly stood on his captain’s belief.
On the fourth ball of 37th over, first he removed the dangerous Liam Livingstone and then the well settled Jos Buttler. But, thanks to David Willey’s and Craig Overton’s crucial 48 runs partnership for the 8th wicket that helped England to post a respectable total on board.
Pandya completed his spell with the figures of 7-24-4. Apart from Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal bagged 3 wickets, Mohammed Siraj grabbed 2, while Jadeja took a single wicket.