In November 2021, Hardik Pandya, an Indian cricketer, got injured and couldn’t bowl much. People were worried about whether he could still play well for the team.
By October 2023, he had recovered and was ready for the World Cup. After a lot of training, he could both bat and bowl effectively again.
India needed a player who could do both, and Hardik Pandya is just that player.
Here are five times he performed exceptionally well for India:
5. 33 vs Pakistan- 2022
India and Pakistan had an exciting cricket match in the Asia Cup in Dubai. Pakistan made 147 runs before getting out. India began their batting with some nerves and lost wickets quickly, but Hardik Pandya stayed cool. He scored 33 runs from 17 balls, hitting four fours and a six. With India needing 21 runs from 12 balls, Hardik hit two fours in a row off Haris Rauf and then hit another four, leading India to victory.
4. 92* vs Australia- 2021
In the last game against Australia in December 2022, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja played very well for India. They helped India reach a total of 302 runs while losing only a few wickets. Pandya scored 92 runs, and Jadeja made 66 runs, with both of them remaining not out.
Their partnership was key, adding 150 runs together. Pandya hit seven boundaries and one six, while Jadeja hit five boundaries and three sixes. They scored 110 runs in the last 10 overs.
After batting, Indian bowlers did a great job. They limited Australia to 289 runs, which helped India win the final game of the series.
3. 83 vs Australia- 2017
Before this game, Hardik Pandya had only one century and one five-wicket haul in his career. But in this match, he didn’t focus on those numbers. He played brilliantly and led India to victory in the first ODI of the series.
The Chennai pitch was different from usual Indian pitches, with more bounce. Pandya’s ability to hit sixes and MS Dhoni’s smart play helped India recover from a tough spot at 87 for 5 to score 281 runs. Pandya scored 83 runs superbly.
Even with some drizzle, the target was adjusted to 164 runs in 21 overs. Pandya then showed off his bowling skills with his knuckleball, getting rid of Steven Smith and Travis Head. India won the match by 26 runs.
2. 51 vs England- 2022
In the first T20 cricket match between India and England in 2022, India won by 50 runs at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Hardik Pandya played a big role in this victory.
Pandya was named Player of the Match. He scored 50 runs and took four key wickets while England was trying to chase the target.
India batted first after winning the toss. Pandya helped boost the score with 51 runs from 33 balls. India made 198 runs in their 20 overs. In the second half, Pandya took out four important England players: Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Liam Livingstone, and Sam Curran.
1. 108 vs Sri Lanka- 2017
Hardik Pandya did something amazing in a cricket match against Sri Lanka. He scored his first century in Test cricket, helping India take a strong lead. Pandya made 100 runs off 86 balls, hitting seven fours and seven sixes. He was even faster in the second half of his innings, going from 50 to 100 in just 25 balls, with two more fours and six additional sixes. India ended their innings with 487 runs. Sri Lanka couldn’t match this and lost by an innings and 171 runs.
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