Virender Sehwag highlights the turning point of the Trent Bridge Test

Prior to the third Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham between England and India, Hardik Pandya was a recipient of severe criticism owing to his indifferent performance as the team’s premier all-rounder. However, he has answered his critics appropriately by picking up his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests. He ended with awe-inspiring figures of 6-1-28-5 and ripped the heart of the English batting lineup.

It also helped the visiting team bowl Joe Root and Co out for 161 runs, and garner a vital lead of 168 runs after the conclusion of both side’s first innings. India didn’t look back thereafter and kept piling on the agony for the Three Lions. In the meantime, Virender Sehwag, the former Indian batsman, believes that Pandya’s spell assisted India put the Englishmen on the mat.

The partnership gave a huge confidence to the Indian side

”The performance which was displayed by Hardik Pandya made India dictate the terms in the Trent Bridge Test. He added that there was a lot going ahead of 3rd Test saying that Hardik should be replaced with a proper batsman. He showed his skills to be on the team. I feel Hardik Pandya’s performance helped India make a comeback,” Sehwag was quoted as saying in India TV.

Apart from Pandya and the bowlers, the batsmen also contributed their bit. In the first innings, after India lost three quick wickets to Chris Woakes in the pre-lunch session, Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli put on 159 runs for the fourth wicket and their stand helped the visitors to a substantial score of 329. Sehwag also mentioned their stand as the turning point of the encounter.

”I feel the partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli is the turning point for me. If one of them loses their wicket, it might have been another collapse as well. The partnership gave a huge confidence to the Indian side. Similarly, in the second innings, Pujara and Virat Kohli’s partnership has also been crucial as well,” he added.

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