India started their Asia Cup 2022 campaign on a high after they defeated arch-rivals Pakistan on August 28 (Sunday). In the game of ebbs and flows, it was the Men in Blue […]
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Aug 29, 2022 1:22 pm
Virat Kohli (Image source- Twitter)
India started their Asia Cup 2022 campaign on a high after they defeated arch-rivals Pakistan on August 28 (Sunday). In the game of ebbs and flows, it was the Men in Blue who held their nerves to go past the finishing line. Hardik Pandya was the chief architect of victory. The likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, too, played their part in the glorious win.
There were many crunch moments in the epic clash between the neighbours. One of those instants came in the 18th of the Indian innings. Chasing the target of 148, India needed 27 runs off 15 deliveries and Jadeja was facing Naseem Shah. The Indian all-rounder was given out LBW on the fourth delivery of the over.
After being given out, Jadeja reviewed the Umpire’s call straightaway. Fortunately, the ball had pitched outside leg and the decision had to be overturned. This was a huge sigh of relief for the Indian players and fans around the globe as Jadeja was the set batter and playing well. Kohli, too, was very animated when the decision came in favour of India. The former Indian captain put both hands on his head and yelled ‘Bach Gaye’ before looking up towards the sky with a praying gesture.
The duo of Jadeja and Hardik stitched a crucial half-century stand for the fifth wicket to take the game to the last over of the match. Though the former got out in the final over, The latter held his cool and took India over the line. Pandya was awarded the Player of the match for his all-around performance. He took a three-fer with the ball and scored a match-winning 33 runs with the bat.
Meanwhile, Jadeja, who scored vital 35 runs expressed his joy after the win during the post-match interview with Sanjay Manjrekar. He also stated that he wanted to stay till the end and finish the game for his team.
“We wanted to play till the end, they have a very good bowling attack, their fast bowlers don’t give anything away. I could have finished the game – left-arm spinner against a left-hander, but Hardik played superbly. He came out and said he was going to play his shots, and happy that he stayed till the end,” Jadeja said.
