Hardik Pandya : MS Dhoni's tips have helped me become a better finisher

05/31/2017

All-rounder Hardik Pandya has revealed that tips from master finisher MS Dhoni himself during the home ODI series against England in January have helped him finish an innings better. The Baroda pacer also said the varying conditions in England will always pose a huge challenge to visiting sides.

In the second warm-up match against Bangladesh ahead of the Champions Trophy, Pandya, coming in at No 6, blasted an unbeaten 80 off 54 balls that eased some of the team’s worries ahead of their tournament opener against Pakistan in Birmingham on June 4. His good understanding of the conditions in his very first match in the UK and a calculative mind stood out in the assault.

“I had a chat with Mahi bhai. He said, ‘'If you can take some time at the start, later on the runs are there to come’,” revealed Pandya. “The best part I have learned from him is when he shares his opinions and experience. I still remember one incident when I asked him how to finish games during the England (home) series.

“He said that you need to make sure you have to see (only the team’s score on) the scoreboard. You need to make sure you see the situations and play accordingly. That way I have noticed that you don’t have pressure on yourself. Because you want the team to win, that’s the motive. So you don’t have your own personal pressure that you have to do something special. You just have to focus on what you can do for the team and play according to the situation. That was a big tip which he gave me and which eventually helped me.”

Apart from his new role as a finisher, Pandya also took the new ball in India’s first warm-up clash, against New Zealand. He went for 49 runs in six overs and failed to pick up a wicket. Pandya said he had failed to quickly adjust to the conditions as a bowler.

"When the clouds are there, the ball is swinging and batsmen are in trouble. When it's bright and shiny, it's a flat track. It's the first time I have seen something like this," he said.

"Obviously it's very different to what you do from India, the situations and the conditions. I thought I should have bowled slightly fuller in the first game. It was just that it was the Indian length which we are used to. The quicker you adapt, it is useful for the team."

Hardik Pandya : MS Dhoni's tips have helped me become a better finisher

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