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Axar Patel was seen conversing with Pandya about his fiery innings, reflecting on the state of mind of the dressing room and Pandya himself in that pivotal moment in the game.
Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya sharing a hearty laugh after the CT 2025 semi-final (Instagram)
There may have been nerves in the Indian dressing room, but veins of cold water for Hardik Pandya, who laid down the hammer upon Australia to help India seal their thrilling win in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy on Tuesday.
Virat Kohli hogged the limelight after another masterclass of an innings, notching a fine 84 off 98, as India chased down Australia’s target with 11 deliveries to spare and entered the final of the ICC Champions Trophy on Tuesday.
However, the chase got a little tense towards the end when Kohli departed, with India 40 runs to win. In walked Hardik Pandya, and he provided the impetus, scoring 28 off 24 balls, with three sixes and a four to put India in a comfortable spot.
After the game, India’s Axar Patel was seen conversing with Pandya about his fiery innings, reflecting on the state of mind of the dressing room and Pandya himself in that pivotal moment in the game.
“Usually when people get out, they react in a way that reflects their sadness. But, you though, you came in beaming with a smile,” Axar said to Pandya, in a video released by the Indian Cricket Team on Instagram.
‘I wasn’t thinking much. I just knew we needed a couple of sixes and I got them for us. So, I was happy,” Hardik replied.
“You have any idea how all of us inside felt? We were all on edge, seeing you smash it all over the park, taking those quick runs.” Axar laughed.
“But I knew that you would take care of everything. I couldn’t show it to the dressing room in the moment, but when you smacked those two sixes with such swagger and walked back in, we all knew we were good.”
“I knew it may have been mixed emotions, which is why I came in laughing myself to ease the tension,” retorted a joyous Pandya.
Pandya sure had enough reason to smile, as the hard-hitting all-rounder ensured that India had the game in the bag.
KL Rahul then took care of the rest, clobbering a final six to seal the deal and book India’s ticket to the final.
“It did get closer than what we would have wanted. Hardik came in and hit those crucial sixes. So, it took a lot of pressure off me. I’m just really happy that we got over the finish line,” KL Rahul chimed.
India will now face New Zealand in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy on March 9.
