Hardik is a special hat-trick achiever, says his father

Ahmedabad: Hardik Pandya's three wickets in three consecutive balls but in two different international matches was not a hat-trick but the family says it was a great achievement.

In the ongoing Asia Cup, the 22-year old all rounder ended Pakistan tail by dismissing Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Amir with his two successive deliveries on Saturday.

In India's next game against Sri Lanka, Pandya grabbed the wicket of Tillakaratne Dilshan with his very first ball on Tuesday.

"It may not be a hat-trick in cricketing terms, but technically we shall call it a special hat-trick, "said Himanshu Pandya, the father, from his Baroda home.

"We wonder if the hat-trick in a Test match can be spread over two different innings, why can't it be done so in limited overs matches. Sometimes the bowler may face few new players if the opponent is same or entirely the other team."

"We consider this a special hat-trick because he took the three wickets of two different teams (Pakistan and Sri Lanka) in two different matches. The tactics of two teams are to be judged and accordingly the bowler has to adjust to the different conditions, different wickets and sometimes in different environment."

"Our son is not the "unlucky" bowler (for not being in the list of the hat-trick bowlers) but wel call him a special hat-trick achiever," he further added.

Celebration in style:

Hardik has a habit of jumping on ground to celebrate his success on field. "Yes, that is his style of celebrations. Whenever he takes a wicket, or grabs the catch or succeeds in batting, he can't control himself and jumps on the ground."

Hardik and his brother, Krunal Pandya are being trained by Ajay Pawar at Kiran More's academy.

"This reminds us Tendulkars. Krunal is now sacrificing for Hardik's success like what Ajit Tendulkar did it for his younger brother Sachin," Pawar said from Baroda.