Published: Jan 24, 2016, 12:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 24, 2016, 12:37 PM (IST)
With Manish Pandey’s maiden ton on 5th One-Day International (ODI) against Australia in Sydney, he has given an answer for all the middle-order woes India was facing through the series. He was eyed by selectors right since Indian Premier League (IPL) and his impressive skills portrayed on Saturday surely gave a thumbs up to the selectors. After the match ended on a high-note for Manish, he got into a candid chat with BcciTv on Saturday and spoke about his thrilling experience, how he strategised his game plan. Indian skipper MS Dhoni was quite happy with the splendid performance of Manish in 5th ODI. Full Cricket Scorecard: India vs Australia 2015-16, 5th ODI at Sydney
When Manish scored his debut ton in international cricket he kissed the tri-color on his helmet and raised it high up with sheer delight. When asked about his experience he mentioned, “It is one of the most thrilling games I have been a part. 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.”
While playing the match he took his time to open up and play his shots, “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.” READ: Manish Pandey seems to be India’s answer to a composed finisher in ODIs
When Dhoni attended the press conference, he hailed his batsman for a stunning innings in the 5th ODI which lead to first win in the five-match ODIs series, “I felt he placed his innings very well. 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.” Manish felt having the skipper on the other end boosted his confidence further and Dhoni motivated him to play the game until the end, “From ball one, MS Dhoni kept telling me to take the game till the end and that is where everything will happen. He did exactly that and took the game till the last over. I just kept on telling Mahi bhai during the death overs that ‘Captain, it’s all about that one six and we will be through. We waited till the last over and Dhoni hit that crucial six off the first ball of the last over which was definitely the turning point of the game. It became easy for me to finish the game after that.” READ: Gurkeerat Singh, Rishi Dhawan to replace Ajinkya Rahane, Bhuvneshwar Kumar respectively in India vs Australia T20I series
Manish recalls the picture he was playing is his mind before the match begun at Sydney, “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.”
