Ahmedabad, Dec 20 (NationPress) India’s seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya expressed his surprise at achieving the second-fastest T20I fifty for India, only discovering this fact after his dismissal. He also shared his happiness that the record is still held by Yuvraj Singh.

Pandya captivated everyone with a remarkable innings of 63 runs off 38 balls, which included a stunning fifty scored in just 16 balls. This feat marks the second-fastest half-century by an Indian batsman in T20Is, contributing to India’s total of 231/5 and a 30-run victory, clinching a 3-1 series win.

“Winning matches is what drives us, and it’s thrilling to know that my contribution helped the team succeed. I wasn’t aware of my second-fastest fifty until I returned to the pavilion, where our social media team informed me. My initial thought was, ‘Ah, I just missed the top spot!’ But I’m glad that Yuvi pa retains that record,” said Pandya, who was honored as the Player of the Match.

The all-rounder elaborated on his aggressive mentality during the innings, stating, “I felt confident today. I even told my partner beforehand that I would attempt to hit the first ball for six. The circumstances aligned well with my playing style; I trusted my instincts, and it paid off. I took a calculated risk, and thankfully it worked out.”

Pandya noted that this performance symbolizes his approach to overcoming challenges. “I’ve always embraced challenges. Regardless of how many setbacks I encounter, the goal is to return stronger and create a greater impact. When everything falls into place, it’s immensely rewarding. However, the journey continues—the preparation, strategy, and hard work never cease,” he remarked.

Wrist spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, named Player of the Series, spoke of his enjoyment of the high-stakes match at the Narendra Modi Stadium. “This was an intense match, probably the best of the series. I truly enjoyed it. My primary role is to seek wickets,” he stated.

“I see no reason not to be aggressive. Whenever I have the ball, my goal is to attack and make an impact. I communicate with teammates like Surya, Sanju, and others, who encourage me, and those discussions are incredibly beneficial,” he added.

Chakaravarthy, who took 4 wickets for 53 runs, emphasized the importance of continuous evolution for his success. “I focus on evolving constantly. I aim to introduce something new every series. If it works, great; if it doesn’t, I return, refine my skills, and come back stronger. That’s how I continue to improve. I dedicate this achievement to my mom, dad, and sister,” he stated.

Tilak Varma, who partnered with Pandya for a century stand and scored 73 runs, mentioned his focus on maintaining an aggressive approach on a favorable batting surface. “I’m familiar with how the Ahmedabad pitch plays. The way Abhishek and Sanju performed at the start indicated the pitch was good. My aim was to keep up that strike rate and show intent,” he commented.

On batting alongside Pandya, who also serves as his IPL captain with the Mumbai Indians, Varma stated, “Watching Hardik bhai bat was incredible. His hitting was pure and fantastic to observe. I don’t set a specific target when batting; I simply aim to score as much as possible. We intended to reach 230-240 runs, and we achieved that in the end.”

Varma concluded by sharing his efforts to improve his bowling skills. “To be honest, I am diligently working on my bowling. Hopefully, you will see me in action in upcoming matches. It’s better to ask Surya bhai (he smiles). But I hope to showcase my bowling skills soon,” he added.