Hardik Pandya vs Liam Livingstone: How the new-age rivalry panned out in India vs England

India’s tour of England has generated much interest in the cricket community, all for the right reasons. From Rohit Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal breaking records to Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow’s memorable test displays, the series have offered the fans many things to talk about. However, an emerging rivalry between Hardik Pandya and Liam Livingstone has not evaded even the layman’s radar.

Pandya, 28, has dismissed Livingstone three times in the ongoing tour, the most by an Indian bowler. The English batter went for a duck in the first T20I against Pandya, whereas he retired to the pavilion after scoring 33 and 27 against India in the second and third ODI matches.

Also Read: 3rd ODI: Pandya records best ODI figures, wins battle vs Liam Livingstone

In the third ODI, Livingstone was one among Pandya’s four wickets, who also dismissed Jason Roy, Ben Stokes and England skipper Jos Buttler. Livingstone looked visibly frustrated after he was caught out by Ravindra Jadeja, falling prey to Pandya’s short ball.

However, it was far from an one-sided story. Livingstone hit Pandya for a six in the first ball when he was sent to face the Englishman. In fact, Pandya conceded 15 runs against Livingstone in the two overs he faced him, with sixes and three short runs.

As Pandya has learnt in the recent history, he stuck with his short ball against the 28-year-old in the 35th over. His patience was awarded in the third ball, when Livingstone was caught out by Jadeja as he tried to hit it hard once again, similar to his earlier shots against Pandya.

Pandya looked to have a smile on his face as  Livingstone departed the pitch. It’s safe to assume that he was far from being happy after the fact that the Indian all rounder seems to have figured him out.

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It was not only the third ODI when Pandya used the short ball outside off tactic against Livingstone in the ongoing series between India and England. During the second ODI, Livingstone got out in a similar delivery and in the first ODI, Jasprit Bumrah seemed to have used the very same tactic against him.

A potential rivalry between Pandya and Livingstone seemed to be cooking, but will only time will tell whether it becomes something more or not.