Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya added another feather to his glorious hat as he reached another milestone in his career by becoming the fastest Indian to 1000 ODI runs during the ongoing 1st ODI of the 3-match series against Australia.
Well, while chasing the target runs of 375 runs, Team India got off to the worst possible start as they lost their ‘in-form’ batsman Mayank Agarwal on just 22 runs off 18 balls. To make things more miserable for India, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli also failed to live up to the expectations and was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood’s delivery caught by Aaron Finch.
Virat was dismissed after scoring 21 runs off 21 balls. Following Kohli’s dismissal, the batting line-up of the Indian cricket team collapsed.
1⃣0⃣0⃣-run stand!
Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya complete a century partnership.
200 up for #TeamIndia. #AUSvIND
Scorecard: https://t.co/Qha4EHPtSf pic.twitter.com/6Gyu5eBUfS
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 27, 2020
However, Shikhar Dhawan held the game strong and along with the Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, the duo brought the much-needed momentum to their side. The duo gave a powerful performance and tried their best to take the numbers on the scoreboard a bit high.
9️⃣0️⃣ runs
7️⃣6️⃣ balls
7️⃣ boundaries
4️⃣ sixesWell played Hardik Pandya ??? #TeamIndia #AUSvIND
Scorecard: https://t.co/Qha4EHPtSf pic.twitter.com/XS4tqaGT3s
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 27, 2020
However, Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed by Adam Zampa at 74 runs. Following this, Hardik Pandya, who carried his Mumbai Indians’ masterclass form in the series, did his best to do everything to keep the hopes alive. Unfortunately, Pandya missed-out on his much-deserving century as he was sent back to the pavilion on 90 runs off 76 balls, hitting 7 fours and 4 sixes.
Meanwhile, social media was all praises for the powerful performance given by Hardik Pandya. From memes to appreciation tweets, Twitter is flooded with amazing reactions to the performance of Pandya.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on this:
Top innings from Pandya. There is much more to him than just a six-hitter.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 27, 2020
Hardik Pandya could have easily run few singles, doubles and got that hundred but he tried for a six with run-rate increasing. Another selfless act, team man.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 27, 2020
•First ODI in 16 months.
•First ODI in Australia.
Yet Hardik Pandya played like a champion, what a hope he gave with his power striking, missed a well deserved century. pic.twitter.com/cvS9gtkJXb
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 27, 2020
Fighting knock from Hardik Pandya comes to an end, 90 runs from just 76 balls including 7 fours & 4 sixes – missed out a deserving hundred but top knock under pressure. pic.twitter.com/Au3HPStXqC
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 27, 2020
Hardik Pandya registered highest individual score in Australia by an Indian batting No.6 or below, he surpasses MS Dhoni.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 27, 2020
Terrific innings from Hardik Pandya. Regardless of the result, came into this game with the pressure of having to contribute as a pure batsman and walked in with the score at 101/4 in the 14th over, with India still needing 275. Kept his team in it almost singlehandedly. #AUSvIND
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) November 27, 2020
Well played #HardikPandya sir keep it up. pic.twitter.com/UCXtfJSKAU
— Deepak raj (@Deepakr16294647) November 27, 2020
Someone : you’re hurting when #HardikPandya out at score 90???
Me:#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/EEu3IiEzXf
— પરીયો_પીત્તળ (@pariyo_18) November 27, 2020