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India made a strong comeback in the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies with a 7-wicket victory in the 3rd T20I on Tuesday in Guyana to make the series scoreline 2-1 with 2 more matches to go.
Hardik Pandya, who is captaining India in this series, has come out with another strong statement against West Indies’ best and most in-form batsman, Pooran.
In the 2nd T20I, Nicholas Pooran had crashed India’s party by smashing 67 runs in the second T20I to lead West Indies to a win. In the first T20I as well, the dynamic left-hander had whacked 41 runs in West Indies’ win.
Pandya had got out Pooran in the first game, yet couldn’t help India to a win. Pooran scored only 20 runs in the 3rd T20I, which India won courtesy of blistering batting from Suryakumar Yadav.
‘I know he is going to come hard at me’: Hardik Pandya challenges Pooran
Pandya said that he’s ready for another battle against Nicholas Pooran in the remaining two matches. In fear of Pooran, Pandya also didn’t bowl a single over of Axar Patel in the 2nd T20I. Hardik asserted that he’s ready for whenever Pooran comes out and tries to hit him for boundaries. Pandya reckons if Pooran attacks him, that also gives him a chance to dismiss the dangerous left-hander.
“Nicky (Pooran) didn’t come out to bat and that allowed us to keep our pacers back, also allowed Axar to bowl his four overs,” Hardik Pandya said during the post-match presentation ceremony.
“If Nicky wants to hit, let him hit me and that was the plan, I enjoy such competition. I know he is going to hear this and will come hard at me in the fourth T20I,” added Pandya.
Overall, Hardik Pandya has had an even contest against Pooran: in T20Is, Pandya has bowled 42 balls to Pooran, conceding 42 runs with one dismissal.
Hardik Pandya was also effusive in praise for Suryakumar Yadav, who plundered 83 runs in 44 balls in the chase of 160 runs.
“As Surya mentioned, they (SKY and Tilak Varma) play together and spend time together, good to have someone like SKY in the team and when he takes responsibility it sends a message to the others,” Pandya said.
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