'I was just repeating the same thing' - Hardik Pandya reveals conversation with Rishabh Pant during series decider

India won the third ODI against England by five wickets in Old Trafford, Manchester, on July 17, Sunday. The chase was steered by the Indian middle-order, especially the fifth-wicket partnership between Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant. And Pandya revealed what the talk with Pant was in the middle when they were batting.

Pandya had told Pant that they needed to have a partnership and take the match as close to the end as possible. He even felt that he was repeating that a lot to the Indian wicketkeeper-batter. He added that when Pant got going, he told him to just play his game.

“I was just repeating the same thing and even told him that I am repeating it too much,” Pandya was quoted as saying by Indian Express. “Let’s have a partnership, take the match as close as possible, and finish the match.”

Without any risks, we could score those runs: Hardik Pandya

“If you then want to enjoy (Pandya smiles), enjoy (“phir tujhe enjoy karna hai to kar le”). Match toh close kar! (Finish the match first!),” Pandya further revealed about his chat with Pant. “And then he opened up (later on in the innings). Everyone knows when Rishabh starts hitting, you sit down and say okay you bat! (Hum baith jaate hain, chalo aap khelo!),” added the Indian all-rounder.

“The talent that he has and the talent that I perhaps have – there was no need to take any risks at that stage. Without any risks, we could score those runs as there were not many runs to get. The only way England could come back is if we lose back-to-back wickets,” he said further.

India won the third ODI and also won the series 2-1. Pant and Pandya were instrumental in the victory at Old Trafford, as Pandya picked up four wickets and scored 71 runs, and Pant scored an unbeaten 125. The duo together added 133 runs for the fifth wicket and put India in a commanding position after they lost some early wickets. Pant was named the Player of the Match, while the Indian all-rounder was adjudged the Player of the series.