I want more batters to chip in with the ball: Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya-led team India comfortably sealed a victory against hosts New Zealand in the second of three-match T20I series on November 20. It was yet again the flamboyant right-hander Suryakumar Yadav who displayed an unmatched superiority in the shortest format as he struck a sensational 51-ball 111 that propelled the side to score 191 in their 20 overs.

In response, the Blackcaps never looked in the hunt as they kept losing wickets swiftly despite the 56-run stand by Devon Conway and Kane Williamson. Following the 65-run win, stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya voiced that his side will need to create more bowling options to add threat.

“Bowlers did well and it was about being aggressive in the mindset. It doesn't mean taking a wicket every ball, but being aggressive with the ball is important. The conditions were very wet, so credit to the bowlers. I have bowled a lot, going forward I want to see more bowling options. Not always that this will work but I want more batters to chip in with the ball. I expect them to be professional, which they are. Give them the opportunity to enjoy themselves,” said Hardik in the post-match presentation.

Suryakumar Yadav’s masterclass fires India to massive win

With their first innings, the Men in Blue too kept losing wickets at regular intervals, however, Suryakumar played arguably his best knock in recent times. A century (111) off just 51 balls handed the side to put up a massive total of 191.

In the second innings, the onus was on the Pandya-led bowlers to defend the mammoth total. Kiwis skipper Kane Williamson scored 61 runs off 52 balls and stitched a partnership with Devon Conway, however, the partnership was never enough to get ahead in the match as the Indian bowlers wrecked the batting line-up with panache. India head to the final T20I match with a lead of 1-0 as the first T20I match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.