Hardik and Kohli should have shared MoM award at Trent Bridge: Sachin Tendulkar

Captain Virat Kohli won the man of the match award in the third Test at Trent Bridge for his emphatic statement with the bat (200 runs). But former Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar believes that all-rounder Hardik Pandya also deserved to get the award and should have shared it with his skipper for his key contribution in the game. India won the match by 203 runs to make the series 2-1 with two more to go.

Kohli hit 97 and 103 runs in the two innings of the Test, respectively, and India went on to defeat England by 203 runs. However, a key turning point of the game came after lunch on Day 2 when Pandya took five wickets for 28 runs in 6 overs to see the hosts crashing. The all-rounder sent back English captain Joe Root and from 86 for 3, England were all out for 161, conceding India a big lead of 168 runs. It was Pandya’s first-ever fifer in Test cricket.

‘Hardik’s five wickets were critical’

“I would have made them share the award. Both players played important roles in India’s victory. Both of Virat Kohli’s innings was very significant. The first innings helped give India a strong foundation and the century in the second innings ensured that India set an improbable target. At the same time, I feel that Hardik also played an important role, especially in the first innings,” Tendulkar was quoted as saying by CricketNext.

“His five wickets were critical. Players like Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow are in-form batsman, and to dismiss them early was vital. He even scored a quick-fire fifty in the second innings to take the target beyond 500. Eventually, it comes down to a matter of opinion.”

Pandya, who was criticised for his ordinary show in the first two Tests and also mocked over his comparison with legendary Kapil Dev, also came up with an unbeaten fifty in India’s second innings to add to the hosts’ woes. For the man who is just 10 matches old in Test cricket, it was by far one of his best performances.

The fourth Test begins at Rose Bowl, Southampton, on August 30.

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