The final of ICC Champions Trophy 2017 was one of the most one-sided finals in tournament’s history. Defying all odds, Pakistan cricket team outplayed India in all three departments of the game. India won the toss and it was the only thing they won in the match. Pakistan’s batsmen batted out of their skins and didn’t let momentum swing away from their side throughout the innings.
On the other hand, Indian batsmen struggled to find any kind of momentum as Pakistani fast bowlers, specially Mohammed Amir, bowled brilliantly with the new ball and broke the back of India’s chase by dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan in quick succession. To cut long story short, it was Pakistan all the way.
However, there was one performance that stood out for India. India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who came in to bat at number 7, played one of the most entertaining cameos you will ever see. Pandya scored 76 before getting run out in a disappointing fashion.
In this post, The Cricket Lounge’s Tahan Bajaj lists three reasons why every Indian cricket fan should be proud of Hardik Pandya.
1) Bowled his heart out on a flat deck
Although Indian batsmen struggled to get going, it was a very good track to bat. Indian bowlers, specially spinners struggled to restrict the flow of runs throughout the innings. Both, Ashwin and Jadeja, leaked runs at around 8 runs per over. Even Jasprit Bumarh, who is mostly very economical, went for plenty. But, young Hardik Pandya bowled extremely well in the middle overs and bowled with a lot of aggression. He gave 53 runs in his 10 overs and picked 1 wicket. Economy of 5.30 isn’t that good but considering the situation of the match and overall run rate, Hardik did a great job for India.
2) Scored almost 50 percent of team’s total
Hardik Pandya came out to bat with a very positive frame of mind and played his natural game, irrespective of what was going on at the other end. He batted very aggressively and smashed 6 towering sixes and 4 fours. Pandya scored 76 runs off 43 balls at a strike rate of 176.74.
3) Broke Adam Gilchrist’s record
Hardik Pandya slammed his half-century in just 32 balls. With this knock, he broke the long standing record of fastest fifty in ICC tournaments by Australian great Adam Gilchrist’s, who scored 50 off 33 balls in ICC Cricket World Cup 1999.
4) The way he showed his emotions after his unfortunate dismissal
Hardik Pandya got out in the most unfortunate manner. One moment of miscommunication between him and Ravindra Jadeja led to an easy run out. Both, Pandya and Jadeja, were stuck at the same end and it was all over for India. On his way back to pavilion, Pandya kept shouting and yelling. He just couldn’t believe his luck. He was playing amazingly well. With his emotional outburst, Pandya showed that he plays the game with a lot of passion.
