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Hardik Pandya scored 28 off 24 and took one wicket in India’s four-wicket win over Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal.
Hardik Pandya has been a key performer for India in white-ball cricket. (AFP Photo)
Virat Kohli hogged the limelight after another masterclass of an innings to help India chase down 265 against Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal. Kohli scored a fine 84 off 98 as India chased down the target with 11 deliveries to spare and enter the final of the ICC tournament.
However, the chase got a little tense towards the end when Kohli holed out in the deep in the 43rd over leaving India five wickets down and still needing 40 runs to win. In walked Hardik Pandya and he provided the impetus with three sixes and a four to put India in a comfortable spot.
Pandya made 28 off 24 before being dismissed.
Soon after India’s win, former India cricketer Yograj Singh made a stunning claim while praising Pandya’s effort with the bat.
Yograj said that the 31-year-old allrounder had “twisted his knee”.
“Cricket is a religion in our country,” Yograj was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. “When these players, who give their blood and sweat for us, when they fall, pick them up, when they feel sad, console them, when they cannot walk, then lift them on your shoulders. Hardik’s knee was twisted. But he scored some sixes and stood for his country. People should learn from this… People should be positive, irrespective of win or loss. If you keep talking down on a player, he goes down forever,” Yograj said.
India captain Rohit Sharma got the start but fell on 28 off 29 and thus continued his underwhelming show with the bat in the ongoing tournament.
“You have a nice captain, with a proper vision. He (Rohit) did not play well today but it is okay, he will score a century in the final,” Yograj said.
This is the fifth time that India have made it to the final of a Champions Trophy and will aim to win the competition for the third time when they take the field on Sunday.
