Did Hardik Pandya Just Make History by Hitting Five Sixes in an Over?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Hardik Pandya achieved his first List A century.
- He scored 133 runs with 11 sixes and 8 fours.
- Pandya's innings helped Baroda reach 293 runs.
- His performance is a positive sign for the Indian team ahead of the New Zealand series.
- He made a comeback after a three-month injury layoff.
Rajkot, Jan 3 (NationPress) India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya delivered a breathtaking performance, achieving his first List A century, as he maintained his impressive form for Baroda against Vidarbha in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Saturday.
Upon his arrival at the crease, the Baroda team was in a precarious position at 71 for five after 20 overs. Stepping in at number seven, Hardik began with a cautious approach, focusing on building a partnership, and reached his half-century in just 44 balls.
He then shifted gears, needing only 24 additional balls to hit the three-figure mark. Pandya exploded in the 39th over, scoring 34 runs, which included five sixes and a four in six deliveries, achieving his century in a mere 68 balls. He concluded his innings with a remarkable score of 133 off 92 balls, featuring a staggering 11 sixes and eight fours, leading Baroda to post 293 runs in 50 overs.
Aside from Pandya, the remaining batters struggled against Vidarbha’s bowling attack, with none surpassing 30 runs. Yash Thakur stood out for Vidarbha, claiming four wickets, while Nachiket Bhute and Parth Rekhade each contributed with two dismissals.
This marked Pandya’s first outing for Baroda this season. Overall, he has participated in 119 List A matches, which includes 94 ODIs for India, eight for India A, and 17 for Baroda. He has amassed 2,300 runs in List A cricket and has taken 110 wickets in this format.
Hardik Pandya has been in extraordinary form recently. He scored 142 runs at a strike rate of 186.84 during last month’s T20I series against South Africa, marking a triumphant return following an injury that kept him out for over three months. With Team India set to announce their ODI squad for the New Zealand series on Saturday, Pandya's stellar performance is a significant boost for the team.