Man of the match in 2020: Three Indians who won MOTM in both ODIs and T20Is
India’s limited-overs cricket in 2020 was an emotional seesaw for its fans. In T20Is, Virat Kohli’s men clean-swept New Zealand in their own den, made an invigorating comeback by beating Australia in Australia. But when it comes to ODIs, despite winning the home series against Australia, they utterly had a poor run when they lost five consecutive ODIs (3 in NZ, first 2 in Australia) which made them end their year at best of three wins from 9 matches. However, there was a formidable cluster of players who didn’t bleak when it came to producing match-winning performances across formats. Here’s a list of Indian cricketers who won MOTM in both ODIs and T20Is this year.
1. Rohit Sharma
There’s no way now India’s cricket calendar ends in high spirits if it doesn’t contain Rohit’s class. His presence in the side is a profusion which not only exhibits runs but also adds a sense of reliability. His first MOTM award in 2020 was against the Australians at the Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru. While chasing the ruthless total of 286 in the third ODI, he played a distinctive knock (119) which allowed India to clinch the series in the decider. It was a full-fledged Australian bowling attack (Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc) but with Rohit’s eminence, India came on top.
Rohit’s second MOTM came in a very eventful T20I where not only he played a sensible knock off 65 in the first innings but also took India home while chasing a 17 run target in the super over. His two back to back sixes in the last two balls of a super over was a breathtaking affair.
2. KL Rahul
KL Rahul’s prominence in the limited-overs cricket has now become a captivating affair alongside Virat and Rohit. Irrefutably, in 2020, Rahul has been India’s biggest match-winner as well as India’s highest run-getter.
His blistering form became first evident when he played a game-changing knock off 80 which not only made him fetch his first MOTM of 2020 but also secured his permanency in the ODI team. He is currently an elusive breed of batsmen who can bat at any position in limited-overs cricket.
His brilliant fifty in the second T20I against New Zealand where India had to chase a below-par total of 133 made him fetch his first MOTM in 2020. His dazzling run with the bat also made him the Player of the series.
3. Hardik Pandya
Player of the Match was Hardik Pandya, who scored 90+ for the second time in the series, this time off only 76 balls #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/5EtuXScxVP
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 2, 2020
Hardik’s comeback rather than turning out to be an ordeal has actually become a bolstering affair in India’s middle order. After the retirement of MS Dhoni, Hardik’s uproar has resorted to India’s middle-order hitting especially in ODIs.
His 92* knock off 76 balls in the third ODI against Australia which also made him ferry the MOTM award spoke volumes in terms of his potential of becoming India’s most reliable middle-order batsman. It was an adoring affair to watch when Pandya and Jadeja both restored India’s batting to 302.
His heroics in the second T20I against the same team this time serving as a finisher was a sheer exemplification in terms of his potency. Not only did it make him fetch a MOTM award but also aided him to become the Player of the series.
