The exhilarating journey of India in the Asia Cup 2023 saw them securing a spot in the final after triumphing over Sri Lanka in a nail-biting Super-4 match in Colombo. Amidst the success, vice-captain Hardik Pandya’s performance caught the eye of India's bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey.
In a press conference on the eve of India's match against Bangladesh, Mhambrey was effusive in his praise for Pandya. With the all-rounder registering a commendable 92 runs in two innings of the ongoing Asia Cup, he has proved pivotal to India's success. Speaking about Pandya's prowess, Mhambrey stated, "I am very happy with the way Hardik has shaped up, something that we have worked on for a long time. We have been managing his workload, making sure that he is fit and able to achieve what we expect out of him.”
Not just with the bat, Pandya has made his presence felt with the ball too, claiming three wickets in three innings. Pandya took a prized wicket of Babar Azam in India's match against Pakistan. Shedding light on Pandya's bowling capabilities, Mhambrey elaborated, "Once he hits 140 kmph, he is a different bowler. From the team perspective, it's a wicket-taking option that we have."
As India gear up for the tournament's final showdown, it's worth reflecting on their impressive journey thus far. The team displayed immense grit, successfully defending a score of 213 against Sri Lanka on September 10 in Colombo. This victory, along with others against formidable opponents like Pakistan, steered India to their 10th Asia Cup final.
The anticipation is now building up for the final encounter of Asia Cup 2023. The cricketing world is eagerly waiting to see who will face India in this grand finale. As Pakistan and Sri Lanka lock horns in a decisive Super-4 clash, both teams stand with two points each. The victor of this high-voltage encounter will secure their place in the final against India. However, the unpredictable weather looms large over the clash. If rain decides to make an appearance and disrupts the match, leading to its abandonment, Sri Lanka, boasting a superior net run-rate, will automatically qualify for the final.
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