In a rain-affected clash between India and Pakistan in Kandy on September 2, Hardik Pandya, the vice-captain of the Indian team, played a crucial role in rescuing his side from a challenging position. He displayed his batting prowess by scoring an impressive half-century, amassing a total of 87 runs from 90 deliveries, including seven boundaries and a six.
India took the batting crease first in Pallekele but found themselves in trouble with a top-order collapse, leaving them at 66/4. It was in this demanding scenario that Pandya rose to the occasion. He partnered with Ishan Kishan (82) to turn the game around, forming a strong 138-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Pandya's innings showcased his maturity and adaptability as a middle-order batsman. He started cautiously, taking his time to settle at the crease before launching into a well-constructed innings. Unfortunately, he fell short of his maiden ODI century when Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed him in the 44th over.
Although the match ultimately ended as a no-result due to bad weather, Pandya's performance underlined his immense value as a batsman and reaffirmed his suitability for the 50-over format. With that in mind, let's review three of Pandya's most exceptional batting displays in ODIs.
3) 83 off 66 vs Australia (2017)
In an exciting showdown against Australia during the 2017 series, India faced the challenge of batting first and found themselves in a tough spot at 87-5 in the 22nd over. But then, Pandya, who was batting at number 7, exploded with an explosive performance. He smashed 83 runs from 66 deliveries, blasting five sixes and five fours in the process. His impressive 83 runs off 66 balls, combined with MS Dhoni's 79 off 88 balls, propelled India to a competitive total of 281 for seven.
Pandya also made a significant impact with the ball, taking two wickets. Thanks to the DLS method, India ultimately clinched victory by 26 runs.
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2) 71 off 55 vs England (2022)
In the critical third ODI against England in 2022, India faced a tough situation. They were struggling at 72-4 after 16.2 overs, and some of their key batsmen were already out. However, when Pandya joined the game, everything changed. He played an explosive innings, hitting 71 runs from just 55 balls, which included 10 fours. His partnership with Rishabh Pant, where they scored 133 runs for the 5th wicket, completely shifted the momentum in India's favor. This outstanding performance helped India secure a 5-wicket victory. While Pant's sensational century grabbed a lot of attention, it was Pandya's innings that played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for the win.
Also read: Best Ever Top 5 ODI Run Chases by India
1) 92* off 76 vs Australia (2020)
India fought hard to prevent Australia from dominating the series completely. They encountered a tough situation right from the start when they lost their first wicket with only 26 runs on the scoreboard. As the game progressed, they faced further setbacks, eventually reaching a score of 152-5. However, Pandya, who batted at number six, emerged as the savior of India's innings. He played a remarkable, unbeaten innings of 92 runs from 76 deliveries, smashing seven fours and one six. His determined performance played a pivotal role in helping India reach a total of 302 runs, which ultimately led to a hard-fought 13-run victory.
Conclusion -
In the world of ODI cricket, Hardik Pandya's stellar contributions for India have been nothing short of extraordinary. His exceptional skills and unwavering commitment to the game make him a true cricketing sensation. As we celebrate his remarkable journey, we also dive into the world of cricket live line enthusiasts. Known as the Live Line guru, Pandya's association with the Fast Live Line app and website promotion adds a dynamic dimension to the cricketing experience, making it even more engaging and interactive for fans around the world.
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