Who Said What? What did Hardik Pandya & Suryakumar Yadav say after IND vs SA, 1st T20I?

India secured a convincing 101-run win in the first T20I of the five-match series against South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9.

Delving into the details of the game, India was tasked to bat first. Middle-order batter Hardik Pandya was the chief destructor, scoring 59* off 28 balls with six fours and four sixes as India posted an imposing total of 175/6 in 20 overs.

In reply, South Africa got all out for 74 runs in 12.3 overs, losing the game by 101 runs. Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel pocketed two wickets apiece. On that note, let’s take a look at who said what after the game.

Hardik Pandya, Player of the Match

“I had to back my shots. At the same point of time, I realized that the wicket had a bit of spice. You had to be a little gutsy, and it was more about timing the ball, not trying to break the ball. I was very satisfied with the way I was batting. I think the last six or seven months have been really amazing from a fitness standpoint.”

“I don’t make a big deal about the hard work that goes behind it, but at the same time, these last 50 days, being away from your loved ones, spending time at the NCA, making sure everything is covered. It’s very satisfying when you come here and the results follow. As a cricketer, I don’t think I’ve ever been fussy about my role.”

I’ve always been motivated to make sure it doesn’t matter what Hardik Pandya wants; it matters what India wants. Whenever I get opportunities, I try to do my best. Some days are good, some aren’t, but the mindset always helps me.” 

Throughout my career, I’ve tried to put my team first, the nation first, whichever team I’ve played for. That’s my biggest USP and that’s what has always helped me. I kind of knew he (Maharaj) wouldn’t go closer to Axar. I didn’t plan it that way, it was just that if it came into my arc, I wanted to go for it. He took a chance and I took a chance. Mine was more calculated on that track, and it paid off.”

“I think that gave us rhythm, gave us momentum that we capitalised on. We were 20-25 runs ahead of the game when those overs began. It’s just about gamesmanship, identifying the right bowler to take down on the day. When it comes off, it looks good.”

Suryakumar Yadav, Indian captain:

“I told at the toss that we were 50-50, but very happy to bat first. I mean, absolutely. At 48 for 3, and then from there getting to 175… the way Hardik batted, Axar batted, Tilak batted, and in the end Jitesh coming in, chipping in and doing his role, I think it was very important. At first, we thought we’d get to 160, but then 175 was unbelievable.”

“I mean, absolutely. See, with 7-8 batters, there will be days when 2-3 batters won’t have their day, but then the other 4 batters will cover it up and they did cover it up today. Maybe in the next game you’ll see someone else covering it up. That’s how T20 cricket goes, and that’s how we want everyone to play.” 

“We want everyone to be fearless and enjoy their batting. India is having a great run. I think Arshdeep and Bumrah were the perfect bowlers to bowl at the start. The way they were bowling when they won the toss and bowled first, the way the new ball was being bowled by them, I think Arshdeep and Bumrah were the better option. But then Hardik coming in later on, coming back from injury, it was important to take care of him as well.”

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