Mumbai: Hardik Pandya could not have asked for a better start of the season for his side as they stand with a victory on their name against Lucknow Supergiants by 5 wickets on Monday in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
“This was the right game for us to be on either side and learn, but have learnt a lot by winning. Shami is known for his seam positions and he got us to a great start. We would have any day taken 160 on this wicket. Mostly I’ll bat at number four, because I want to take pressure with my experience so that the others can play freely,” said Pandya after the game.
“We want to win as a team and nobody can take the contribution away from anyway. It was quite humid as well, so I wouldn’t have finished Shami’s spell over there. Manohar is some talent to look at with the talent he has. He is someone who you are going to hear about in the future. Tewatia was sensational as well. Getting out to Krunal would have pinched me more had we lost, but now the family is neutral and happy. He got me out and we won the match,” he added.
Mohammed Shami was declared as the Man of the Match after he took significant wickets for his side in the start of the game.
“I was warmed up well. It was important to get a good start in the first match, I looked to bowl a Test match line and length here. When the ball comes out of your hand like that … (smiles). I have worked very hard on this seam position. People say it is god-gifted, but that’s not the case. I try to come round the wicket to a leftie and make that angle because that’s the most uncomfortable thing for them. I just look to do that. Hardik asked me if I wanted the fourth over on the trot, but I told him to hold me back,” said Shami.
first published:March 29, 2022, 12:15 a.m.