On the last ball of India’s innings during the first T20I between Indian and Ireland, Hardik Pandya clobbered a Dhoni-esque helicopter shot for six.
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MS Dhoni has shouldered the responsibility of being India’s finisher for more than a decade now. He has delivered more often than not the highlight of which being his chase during the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka.
Dhoni has been a demi-god for Indian cricket but ultimately he is also coming towards the fag end of his career. In the last few years, his frequency of successful chases has also dropped. In his absence, all-rounder Hardik Pandya is being touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket.
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After Dhoni hangs his boots, it is possible that Pandya will assume the role of a finisher. Pandya has also shown few glimpses of possessing the similar talent as Dhoni as far as explosive batting is concerned. However, Hardik still has a long way to go in getting his mindset right and holding on his nerves in crunch situations.
In the first T20I against Ireland, MS Dhoni hit a couple of lofty blows. He hit a boundary towards backward square against Rankin on a short of length ball in the same over. Dhoni backed it up with a huge six. It was overpitched delivery on the off stump which was met by Dhoni’s typical swing of the bat as the ball sailed over the side screen.
Unfortunately, on the second ball of the last over Dhoni was caught at mid wicket. Hardik Pandya got to face only one ball which was. Chase bowled a Yorker to Pandya which he digged it and planted the ball over the bowler’s head.
What came as a treat for the fans was that after Dhoni’s dismissal, it was Pandya who gave the fans a feel of a Dhoni-esque helicopter shot. He hit a Yorker for a six with a helicopter shot to wind up the innings.
