'First Love Always Gives The Kiss Back': Hardik Pandya Talks On Match-Winning Knock In Fourth T20I
India won the fourth T20I against England on Friday, February 1, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. The Indian star all-rounder Hardik Pandya played a match-winning knock, smashing a half-century, scoring 53 runs off 30 balls, and hitting four sixes and fours. After India's 15-run win, Pandya opened up on a special bond with fans and how much he loves to entertain them.
Despite the collapse of the Indian batting, Panyda and Shivam Dube joined hands, taking the responsibility of the team on their shoulders. They helped the hosts to take up to a score of 181/9. Both the players stole the show by building up a partnership of 88 runs.
In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI), Pandya said that he is someone who has always played for the fans. He mentioned that fans give him motivation when they are there and chanting for him.
"I have always been someone who has played for the fans. When they are there, when they are chanting, it gives me that added motivation. I want to do really well for them."
The 31-year-old all-rounder also talked about his first love, stating that it always gives the kiss back. He stated that sport has given him so much love, and this is one of the reasons he always wanted to be very honest and loyal to that.
"This sport does not wait much. Your first love always gives the kiss back. The sport has given me so much love and so many things back; I feel I have always had to turn up and be very honest and loyal to the sport."
Pandya also mentioned that he loves to entertain his fans and always makes sure that their money is well spent.
"I think today, the sport said, you deserve that. A lot of things have changed post the World Cup (T20 WC win last year). I really love to entertain the crowd and make sure every penny that they have spent is worth it."
He has played a total of 113 games in T20Is, scoring 1803 runs at an average of 28.17, with the highest score of 71*, scoring five half-centuries.
The final T20I between India and England will be played on February 2, Sunday, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.