IPL 2021: It woke me up: Hardik Pandya on being hit on the body by Mohammed Shami

Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya feels the Mohammed Shami’s ball which hit him on the body woke him up against Punjab Kings at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Pandya was struggling to get against the short-pitched delivery and was finding it difficult to connect the ball.

The all-rounder who hasn’t been in the best of forms in the recent past, scored only 11 runs off the first 14 balls he faced. However, he was able to change gears in the over against Arshdeep Singh and finished the match in the penultimate over which was bowled by Mohammed Shami.

Pandya scored a fine knock of 40 runs off just 30 balls and added the finishing touches for Mumbai Indians to take his team to a much-needed win against PBKS. The all-rounder played a mature knock as he got himself settled and then catapulted his attack on the opposition in the end overs.

Pandya hasn’t got a lot of runs in the recent past and this knock will certainly add a shot to his arm.

In a post-match chat with teammate Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pandya said, “To be honest, I will give credit to Shami as well because the ball which I got hit woke me up. I also told Kieron Pollard the same. It changed things for me actually, because I was finding it difficult before that.”

“I try to make sure that every opportunity is a new opportunity. You can be the hero or you can contribute in a way that your team can win. I have always been the kind of cricketer who has seen the ball and played. I forget what has happened on the previous ball and then make sure that I give my 100% when the next ball arrives.”

On the other hand, Pandya once again didn’t bowl for Mumbai Indians. Meanwhile, Nathan Coulter-Nile replaced Adam Milne in the match against PBKS and delivered the goods for the team. The Australian all-rounder bowled an impressive spell as he conceded only 19 runs in the four overs he bowled.

MI was able to get the much-needed win and they will look to continue the winning momentum. Mumbai Indians will next face Delhi Capitals on Saturday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.