WATCH: ‘We might lose a game here…’ – Hardik Pandya’s interesting take on giving Axar Patel last over instead of bowling himself

On January 3rd, India defeated Sri Lanka by 2 runs in a close game. Many young players stepped onto the occasion to guide India to a win. The game had gone down to the wire, with 13 required for Sri Lanka to win in the final over.

The stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya handed the ball to Axar Patel instead of bowling himself. This decision left everyone wondering what was going through his mind. Pandya led the hosts’ bowling attack, with youngster Shivam Mavi emerging as the pick of the bowlers in the match at the Wankhede Stadium.

Pandya-led India defeated Sri Lanka by 2 runs in the final over of the three-match T20I series, with spinner Axar defending 13 runs in the final over. Pandya explained why Axar bowled the final over of the innings during the presentation ceremony.

“We might lose a game here and there but it’s alright. I want to put this team in difficult situations because it will help us in big games. 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,” Pandya explained.

Here is Hardik Pandya’s video

All-rounder Axar (31*) and middle-order batter Deepak Hooda (41*) both remained unbeaten as the Indian duo led the hosts to a match-winning total of 162-5 in the 20-over contest. Reflecting on India’s performance in the series opener, stand-in captain Pandya praised pacer Mavi, who made his international debut at the Wankhede.

“The conversation was very simple, 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. I just told him to simply bowl. I told him, ‘I am backing you. Even if you get hit, it’s fine.’ If the same situation is there, I will take the new ball,” Pandya added.

Mavi took four wickets and allowed 22 runs in India’s thrilling victory over the Islanders. On Thursday, the Men in Blue will face the Dasun Shanaka-led side in the second T20I at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.