Hardik Pandya, the hero of India’s win over Pakistan on Sunday, did not feel much pressure while batting in the last over of the innings. Why? “I feel the bowler is under a lot more pressure than me. I just needed one six in that final over. I try to keep things simple,” said Hardik, adjudged Man of the Match for his all-round performance.

Elaborating on his game plan and methods, Hardik said: “It’s important to assess the situation and use your weapons. The hard lengths, particularly. But you have to use them wisely.

“When it comes to batting, the chances I take when executing, I’m likelier to pull it off when I’m calmer. I knew they had (Mohammad) Nawaz waiting to bowl, and while we needed 7, even if we needed 15, I would have fancied my chances.” India captain Rohit Sharma heaped praise on Hardik.

“Since his comeback into this team, Hardik has been brilliant... He had a great IPL too. His batting qualities we all know, he has been brilliant with the bat since he came into the team,” Rohit said. Though India were under pressure midway into the chase when they lost a few quick wickets, Rohit said the belief was always there.

“Halfway through the innings, we still believed. That’s the kind of belief we want to have in this group, where you’re not in the game and you still manage to pull it off. I’ll take wins like this over one-sided wins. We were challenged at times but overcoming those challenges will take us forward.”

Pakistan captain Babar Azam thought they were a few runs short of the ideal total. “The way we started, we were 10-15 runs short,” he said.