Sipu Jha
Hardik Pandya produced a moment of magic in the field during India’s third T20I against New Zealand at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, pulling off a stunning catch that set the tone early in the contest. With India already leading the five-match series 2-0, the hosts came out sharp once again after captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and chose to bowl first.Handed the new ball, Harshit Rana made an immediate impact. On the third delivery of the opening over, New Zealand opener Devon Conway stepped out of his crease, looking to loft the ball over mid-off. However, the timing deserted the left-hander, and the ball hung in the air longer than expected.For a split second, it appeared the shot might sail over Hardik Pandya, but the all-rounder judged it perfectly. Taking a couple of quick steps to his left, Hardik launched himself into the air and completed a sensational leaping catch, drawing loud cheers from the Guwahati crowd and giving India an early breakthrough.
Explaining the decision to bowl first, Suryakumar said the surface looked good and the possibility of dew later in the evening made chasing the preferred option. He also urged his players to stick to their strengths and play fearlessly while remaining grounded.The India skipper highlighted the value of all-round contributions, singling out Hardik Pandya for his long-standing impact with both bat and ball, and praising Shivam Dube for his recent performances. He also noted how such players provide balance and flexibility to the side.For the third T20I, India rested Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy, bringing in Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi as part of their rotation strategy, with the series advantage already in hand.
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