Hardik Pandya Gives Away His Man of The Series Trophy to T Natarajan, Says ‘You Deserve it’

India’s white-ball series against Australia witnessed the rise of T Natarajan. The brilliance of this Tamil Nadu paceman powered India to clinch the T20I series 2-1. He has become the talk of the town after making his international debut in the third ODI in Canberra. In the final ODI and three T20 International against Australia, he scalped eight wickets, which is highly appreciating.

Now he has been complemented by his own teammate, Hardik Pandya. The Indian all-rounder said after India’s third T20I against Australia on Tuesday that T Natarajan deserved to win the man of the series award. Pandya was handed the award for his performances with the bat — he scored 78 runs in the series, while Natarajan was the highest wicket-taker with six wickets.

Posting a social media picture with T Natarajan after India’s 2-1 T20I series win Down Under, Hardik Pandya wrote a heart-warming message, which has now gone viral.

“Natarajan, you were outstanding in this series. To perform brilliantly in difficult conditions on your India debut speaks volumes of your talent and hard work. You deserve Man of the Series from my side Bhai! Congratulations to #TeamIndia on the win Flag of IndiaTrophy,” Hardik Pandya tweeted.

Natarajan, you were outstanding this series. To perform brilliantly in difficult conditions on your India debut speaks volumes of your talent and hardwork 👏 You deserve Man of the Series from my side bhai! Congratulations to #TeamIndia on the win 🇮🇳🏆 pic.twitter.com/gguk4WIlQD

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) December 8, 2020

Speaking to the news agency ANI, Pandya said that he strongly believes in backing people to achieve their dreams and for him, the youngster truly deserved the award.

“I want people to believe in themselves and to achieve anything even if odds are against them. It’s just my way of appreciating his hard work over the years. For me, Natrajan deserves the Man of the Series award. To perform so brilliantly on his debut speaks volumes of his belief and the talent he possesses,” ANI quoted Pandya as saying.

Earlier in the second T20I, while interacting in the virtual press conference, Pandya said that the man of the match award that he won should have been given to Natarajan.

“In the presentation ceremony I had said that I thought he would be Man of the Match but they say it has become a batsman’s game. But when the run rate was higher, he applied the brakes on Aussie innings. The 10-15 runs less he gave was the difference. The way Aussies started and where they ended — the first thing I said to everyone when we went to the dressing room was that they are 10-15 runs short and if we play normal cricket, we will win and in the end, the runs (Natarajan saved) mattered,” Pandya said after the match.