'I want to put this team in difficult situations' - Hardik Pandya explains Axar Patel's final over decision

A sold-out Wankhede got their money's worth on Tuesday, January 3, as India and Sri Lanka engaged in a thrilling T20I series opener. The hosts eventually won the match by two runs in a see-saw battle that could've gone either way. Indian stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya explained his bewildering decision to hand Axar Patel the last over in an intense finale.

Hardik Pandya dished a curveball to the fans and experts when he handed left-arm spinner Axar Patel the last over of the match, with the visitors needing 13 runs to win the series opener. Pandya's perplexing decision seemed to have backfired after Axar conceded a wide on the very first delivery and was hit for a maximum on the third delivery. 

However, he held his nerve with Sri Lanka needing five runs off three deliveries, handing the home side a narrow victory by two runs. The Indian skipper explained the thought process behind his decision to bowl Axar in the last over despite an over remaining in his own quota.

"I want to put this team in difficult situations because it will help us in big games (on Axar bowling the last over). Bilaterals we are very good at and this is how we are going to challenge ourselves. To be honest, all the young guns got us out of the situation today. The conversation was very simple,” he told the broadcasters.

Hardik Pandya lauded debutant Shivam Mavi for his exceptional outing

The mercurial all-rounder was all praise for debutant Shivam Mavi, who scalped a four-for in a memorable outing for the Men in Blue at the Wankhede. Pandya was impressive with the new ball as well, getting the ball to hoop around considerably to trouble the Lankan batters. 

“I have seen him (Mavi) bowl well in the IPL and I know what are his strengths, just back yourself and don’t worry about getting hit. If the same situation is there then yes, I have worked on my swing bowling and I have worked on that (inswinger), I am bowling in nets and I like bowling with the new ball,” he added.

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