Hardik Pandya Proud To Fill Jasprit Bumrah's Shoes In 3rd ODI vs England

Hardik Pandya was glad to help fill the "very big shoes" of Jasprit Bumrah after starring with both bat and ball during India's series-clinching win over England. Back spasms meant strike bowler Bumrah was ruled out of Sunday's third and deciding one-day international at Old Trafford. But after replacement Mohammed Siraj rocked England with a double-wicket maiden in his first over, medium-pacer Hardik took an ODI best 4-24 as the hosts were dismissed for 259.

Hardik, 28, followed up with a fine 71 and shared a decisive partnership of 133 in 19 overs with Rishabh Pant after India had collapsed to 72-4 in the face of another fine new-ball spell by Reece Topley.

Victory, completed with more than seven overs to spare, gave India a 2-1 series success after they won the preceding Twenty20 campaign against 50-over world champions England by the same scoreline.

"It's always special to contribute in all departments," player of the series Hardik told reporters.

While Hardik's excellent 55-ball innings, which included 10 fours, ended with India just shy of victory, Pant saw them home thanks to a superb 125 not out -- the wicketkeeper's maiden ODI hundred.

"You always aspire to play like this when your team is in trouble," said 24-year-old left-hander Pant, who already has five Test centuries to his credit.

Hardik added: "We all know what kind of talent he (Pant) has. When it comes out, it's very pleasing to the eye -- your heartbeat also goes up but at the same time you are in awe of the kind of shots he plays."

Turning to his bowling, Hardik said: "We knew Jasprit was not going to play this game.

"He was telling me that I might have to bowl a couple of overs at the death, I said they are 'very big shoes to fill'.

"I had to step