Shardul Thakur does exactly what I want, he has faith in me: Hardik Pandya

India clean swept the ODI series against New Zealand with a big 90-run win in the third ODI in Indore on Tuesday (January 24). Rohit Sharma ended his century drought while youngster Shubman Gill stole the show with a 112-run knock off 78 deliveries to guide India to a massive total. Later, Shardul Thakur produced a match-winning spell, bagging three valuable wickets to earn the Player of the Match award.

After a terrific start to the innings, the Indian middle-order struggled to carry on the momentum with Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav not managing to contribute much. India also lost Washington Sundar in form of their sixth wickets with 313 runs on the scoreboard. But pace all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shardul added a crucial 54-run partnership for the seventh wicket to take India beyond 380 mark.

I'm grateful to Shardul for listening to me: Hardik Pandya

Hardik scored 54 off 38 and smashed three fours and three sixes in the process while Shardul contributed 25 runs at a strike rate of 147.05. Both players also kept the strike rotating with singles and doubles as well and seemed comfortable in their partnership.

At the end of India's innings, the former head coach Ravi Shastri asked Hardik who was giving advice to whom, to whichHardik replied with a cheeky smile on his face. He revealed that Shardul has faith in him and allowed him dictate the gameplay.

"Luckily, I was glad Shardul has faith in me and lets me dictate the terms inside. But he always has his point and I always try to listen, but at the end of the day, because of his faith in me, he does what I exactly want. So, in our partnership, it was combined but I'm grateful to Shardul for listening to me," Hardik told Ravi Shastri.