T20 World Cup 2022: This was special because we knew we’d struggled – Hardik Pandya on his partnership with Virat Kohli

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya joined forces with Virat Kohli at 31-4 while they were chasing 160 runs against a potent Pakistan bowling line-up in front of the jam-packed MCG in the T20 World Cup on Sunday. After India won the thrilling contest by four wickets, Pandya admitted that it was special as they knew they had struggled.

Pandya gave credit to Kohli for turning the match on its head in the penultimate over. 28 runs were required off the final eight balls and it looked like the ship has sailed for the Indian team.

However, Kohli played one of the most impossible shots, smashing Haris Rauf over his head for a massive six. The talisman then flicked one over deep fine leg to bring the equation down to 16 runs in the final over.

Pandya, who had the best seat in the office, believes nobody could have hit those big shots better than King Kohli.

Hardik Pandya said on the BCCI website, “I’ve hit a lot of sixes but those are special, special, and really special in my heart now because of what [it] meant for both of us. I’ve played cricket, so much cricket, but I don’t think anyone could’ve played those two shots except Kohli.

“The best part about what I loved about him [doing that] is we struggled, bro. Why it was so special was we struggled together. This would’ve been not this special if we had just cruised through. You would have played exceptional shots, I would have been [in the flow]… This was special because we knew we’d struggled.”

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya had missed a lot of action due to his back surgery but he has made a resounding comeback. The all-rounder also scalped three wickets and conceded only 30 runs to play the sixth-bowler’s role with great success. Furthermore, he scored 40 runs off 37 balls and added a fine alliance of 113 runs with Kohli off 78 balls.

Pandya admitted that he was nervous before the big game against Pakistan but at the same time he was happy and excited.

“I sensed a lot of pressure in the group,” he said. “With all due respect, a lot of people in big games [feel pressure] and [know] how important it is. We all have worked very hard as a collective, and people are happy for each other.

“But for me, I don’t know, I was very numb today. Even when I came on the ground, I was very happy and I was speaking to Rahul [Dravid] sir as well initially, I wouldn’t say he was tense but he told me: ‘you have done a lot of things, and ‘be calm’ and all that. I had to tell him: ‘sir, please understand I’m happy to be here. Ten months back, I was working in my space and I had no idea this is where I wanted to be, irrelevant of what happened. Just happy to be here, playing with all the best cricketers in the world, and they are my brothers.

“The quality of the relationship that I have with this group is something I cherish and always cherish. When I was coming inside [to bat], I would have taken a bullet for you [Kohli] at that point of time, I would not have let you get out at that point of time. My goal was simple: whatever I can to make your life easy [do it], because you have done this over the years in crucial games. No one is better at handling pressure than you.”

India will be up against the Netherlands on Thursday at the SCG.