India’s star player Hardik Pandya, is known to take India out of under-pressure matches with his strong skills and all-round capabilities. He is one of those players capable of hitting sixes off his very first ball. He played domestic cricket for Baroda after which in 2015 he first came into the limelight with a stunning 61 off just 31 balls for the Mumbai Indians against the Kolkata Knight Riders. It was in the game that marked the beginning of a successful journey with the franchise, for which he won four IPL titles and became a finisher.
Hardik made his international career début in the limited-over tour to Australia at the beginning of 2016 and very soon announced his arrival with impressive bowling on seam-friendly pitches of Bangladesh during the Asia Cup. His dynamic fielding and all-round abilities were quite promising as a force for India’s hopes to make it to the T20 World Cup. Though he came out and batted only twice in the tournament, he played a very vital role in a close match against Bangladesh when he had to defend two runs from the last three balls of the match.
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But Hardik Pandya’s success journey was also not smooth. He faced a dreadful back injury in 2018 which stopped him from bowling.As he entered the 2020s, Hardik converted into a senior player and developed his position with respect as a good teammate for his style of leadership.
Hardik Pandya’s Finest Moments: Top 5 Highlights
Here is a look at Hardik Pandya’s top 5 moments that go define him as the top class all-rounder for Team India.
India vs Australia 2020: A Magnificent Knock Of 92 Runs
Hardik Pandya produced one of the finest ODI appearances in international cricket during the third ODI on the 2020 India Tour of Australia. He made a spectacular run of 92 off 76 balls in the first innings for India in Canberra and held an important position within the Indian aggregate of 302 runs at the end. His batting innings were to be the difference between the two competing teams since India won by a narrow margin of 13 runs.
India Vs Pakistan, Champions Trophy Final (2017): Scored 76 Runs Crucial Runs
Hardik Pandya’s aggressive batting was the only plus for Team India, when India’s batting lineup crumbled completely Pandya stood up for the team in the most difficult situation and scored 76 runs. Even though India lost, his knock remains etched in the heart of all the fans.
India Vs England, 2022: 4 Wickets & 51 Runs
Hardik Pandya made a big impact with a 51 off 33 balls with six fours and one six as the Indians posted 198 runs. Here also he batted supremely in the second innings. His bowling too was superb as he picked four wickets which helped India win the match by the difference of 50 runs. He was rewarded with Player of the Match for his all round brilliance.
Gujarat Titans Vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL Final 2022: Hardik Pandya Wins Maiden Title For Gujarat
In the IPL 2022 Final, the game was dominated by Hardik Pandya’s performance. Rajasthan Royals went on to bat and at the very start Titans left the Royals clueless as they picked three wickets at just 17 runs, thereby restricting their total to 130. Chasing that total, Hardik scored 34 runs and won the Player of the Match award for himself as he led his Gujarat Titans to their first IPL trophy.
T20 World Cup, 2024: Hardik’s Lethal Bowling- 3/20
Hardik Pandya returned in the final of T20 World Cup, with a bang, when it mattered the most. After an unimpressive showing for IPL this season he made a strong comeback to shut down all the criticisms. He took three crucial wickets and managed to keep the South Africans from winning by denying them seven-run victory. The two most important wickets that provided India a breakthrough were of David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen. His outstanding bowling was a reason behind India’s victory in their second-ever T20 World Cup title.
Hardik Pandya’s Stunning Career
ODIs: In 86 matches Pandya has played he has bagged 84 wickets with an economy of 5.55. In batting he has bagged 1769 runs.
T20Is: In 104 matches he has picked up 87 wickets, not just this he has also scored 1594 runs.
Tests: In 11 matches Pandya has 523 runs, which includes 1 century and 4 fifties. He has also picked up 17 wickets with an outstanding economy of 3.38.
Hardik Pandya is known for his all-round excellence, every time Team India struggles Pandya has stepped up and taken it out of from the jaws of defeat.
