NEW DELHI: Under-fire all-rounder Hardik Pandya rose to the occasion as he picked up three crucial wickets to help India bowl out Ireland for a paltry 96 in their opening T20 World Cup Group A match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday.
Arshdeep Singh, with figures of 2/35 in 4 overs, Mohammed Siraj, who claimed 1/13 in 3 overs, Jasprit Bumrah, registering 2/6 in 3 overs, and Hardik, notching up 3/27 in 4 overs, displayed an impeccable bowling performance, leaving no room for the Irish batters to breathe.
Hardik , who had a below-par IPL 2024, was quite pleased with his performance and stated that he has always been able to contribute in the World Cups.
"Always special to play for the country, always good to play for pride. I have been able to contribute in the World Cups, god has been kind. That was an outstanding effort by Axar, those are the catches when you let your hand-eye coordination let in," Hardik said at the mid-innings break
Hardik also lauded the support of the Indian crowd in the USA and said that we Indians are everywhere.
"I really liked the first wicket, I don't hit the stumps often as I usually bowl short of a length. I needed to be fuller than back of a length today. On this kind of surface you need to be disciplined and hit the right areas. It's always fantastic to see the crowd, we Indians are everywhere, we rule the world, good to have their support," Hardik added.
