Rohit Sharma salutes Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya after Manchester robbery: They didn’t panic

Team India captain Rohit Sharma praised Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant for their match-winning effort in the third ODI against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. On Sunday, July 17, Pant and Hardik shared a 133-run stand for the fifth wicket to help the Men in Blue beat the Three Lions by five wickets.

Pant and Hardik were bundled out for 72 with India chasing 260. From there, he guided his team to safe shores as the visitors chased down the target with 47 balls to spare.

Rohit, who had recently recovered from Covid-19 and missed the rescheduled fifth Test in Birmingham, lauded Hardik and Pant for not panicking under extreme pressure.

“It was a good pitch, but we knew it would not be easy if we lost wickets early. It happened, but the positive thing is that these guys didn’t bat for long in the middle overs and we got to see that from Rishabh and Hardik. They were both clinical – at no point did we feel like they were panicking. He played great cricket shots,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Hardik was also brilliant with the ball after picking up crucial wickets from Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone. Hardik also won the Player of the Series award. Pant also scored his maiden ODI century in 106 balls.

Meanwhile, Rohit admitted that the Indian top-order batsmen played quick shots in the limited overs series against Jos Buttler and Co.

“Not really. But we understand it’s something that we need to look into. We didn’t play some good shots and it cost us wickets. But I still want those guys to do well. Support because they have done it for a long time. I have nothing more to say, as I understand what qualities they bring to the team,” said Rohit.

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