Published: Jan 24, 2016, 01:54 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 24, 2016, 01:54 PM (IST)
Indian middle order batsman Manish Pandey scored a scintillating century in the final game of the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series at Sydney. He guided India to their maiden ton in the five-match series for the first time and scripted history with his knock.
In an interview with BCCI.TV after the game Manish Pandey spoke about the game and said, “It is one of the most thrilling games I have been a part of. Being there on the field, playing those balls and seeing the team through was special and I would rank this knock among the top three moments of my career. There were some nerve breaking moments at times but I think I had a good partnership with all the batsmen who were coming in to bat. I feel it came off my way.” Also Read: Manish Pandey seems to be India’s answer to a composed finisher in ODIs
Pandey came out in the middle when India were in a delicate situation after losing the well set Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli in quick succession. India at that juncture needed 197 at a run rate of close to 7 per over. Pandey held on to his nerves and didn’t let the situation get the better of him on this he said, “I always do that, I get my eye in first especially in wickets like these where it’s a bit challenging early on in the innings. You have to take a few deliveries to get set and then play your game. After the fourth or the fifth ball I was all ready for singles and I thought I made the necessary changes in my style of play. It was all good after that. The pitch was good and it helped my batting style.”
One of the notable thing of his innings was he kept rotating the strike and kept the singles flowing. His co ordination with skipper MS Dhoni out in the middle was outstanding as the duo stitched a match winnings partnership. He said, “It is a big ground and you have to look for a lot of singles and doubles. You have to run hard and get the scoreboard ticking. It is very difficult to hit boundaries on every ball. This is one of the reasons why me and Dhoni had a partnership going. We kept telling each other to keep the singles and doubles going.” Also Read: Manish Pandey’s maiden ODI ton guides India to a consolation win: Twitter reactions
In the press conference, Dhoni praised Pandey’s astuteness and ability to place the innings. Dhoni said, “I felt he placed his innings very well,” Dhoni said. “He calculated the run chase and this innings will really help him. It’s good to get somebody who scored a hundred, especially at that batting position. He batted really well and I hope he continues the same way. He has a good future.”
Dhoni and Pandey almost finished teh game for India but Dhoni floundered in the final over, the duo laid the foundation and finishing was just on the cards. Pandey said, “Today morning I got a feeling that I would get a game and I had some pictures in my head. I saw myself kissing the helmet and raising that bat up for the hundred. This knock is really special for me and it was a great moment for me playing just my fourth ODI. I take a lot of confidence from this knock and the series. I believe I did not get many chances to bat in the previous matches but today I made the most of it. I love the pitches here and there is good bounce which suits my batting style. I think the number four batting positions suits me and therein lies my forte. A hundred in Australia will always give you good feelings about yourself and your batting insights. I will take that forward and be a lot more confident ahead.”
