India’s head coach Rahul Dravid was very impressed by the clinical bowling performance displayed by the Indian bowlers in the 3rd ODI against England at the Old Trafford. The bowlers restricted England to 259 on a hard batting surface. With Hardik Pandya gave his career best bowling figures of 4/24, Yuzvendra Chahal and Mohammed Siraj bagged 3 and 2 wickets respectively. India made a conscious effort to bowl short or back of a length with extract bounce. To try and bring the bigger leg side boundary into play. Sticking to the plan, Hardik also bowled 15 short balls and 24 that were either on a length or short of a length.
“We were fantastic with the ball,” Dravid told the BCCI website.
“It was exceptional the way we bowled. That was a really good wicket, and to be able to restrict a team like England to 260 [259], we did fantastically well. We picked up a few wickets upfront, then they built a partnership, but I thought our tactics and strategy was absolutely brilliant.”
Dravid Said
“At the back end, to bowl the short ball with fielders in place, really credit to the team and captain for working on some really good strategies,” Dravid said. “It really came out really well.”
Also Read: BCCI and CA bring in a major change in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the next FTP cycle
The lower batting order saved the day
In the second innings India didn’t make a significant start losing the top three in the first 10 overs. It was Rishabh Pant‘s and Hardik Pandya’s match winning partnership of over 100 runs which took India through.
“The way Hardik and Rishabh responded was superb,” Dravid said. “It was really good to see that under pressure with the series on the line. To put in a partnership like that and bat like the way Rishabh and Hardik did was really heartening for us.”
Dravid Appreciated Hardik
Hardik in the second innings too gave a clinical performance making 71 of 55 deliveries with Pant supporting him from the other end. He struck 10 boundaries but departed while India was 55 away from the winning mark.
“Today was one of those days where whatever I tried, whatever experience have gained, it came to effect. I got the most out of whatever opportunity I had. With the ball, it was important to stop runs since their start was fantastic. I was very happy with the ball, but the way I batted, I’m prouder of that because batting is always going to be close to my heart. I genuinely felt I was in rhythm. Whatever I wanted to do, I was in control. I would’ve loved to finish the game, but the way Rishabh batted and finished the game, no complaints.”
Hardik Said in the post match interview.
