It would be now safe to say that Hardik Pandya has sealed a place for himself in India’s T20I on the back of his dominant all-round show in the first half of the IPL 2022.
Having not played at a higher level for 4 months after the last year’s T20 World Cup, when he worked extensively on his fitness, Hardik Pandya has not only returned fit but also is firing with both bat and ball.
In 6 innings this season so far, the 28-year-old has scored 295 runs at an average of 73, and has struck three fifties. Taking up the responsibility as the Gujarat Titans’ skipper Hardik has promoted himself to number 4 and now number 3 in his latest half-century against Kolkata Knight Riders.
He came into bat as early as the second over when GT had lost the in-form Shubman Gill. With Vijay Shankar dropped due to poor form, and Abhinav Manohar and David Miller inexperienced in this role, Pandya took it upon himself to face the new ball and build up the innings.
He straightaway struck Tim Southee for a couple of boundaries to show his mood. And while Wriddhiman Saha batted close to run-a-ball, Hardik ensured GT had a good powerplay, ending the sixth over at the score of 47.
Pandya then tore into young Shivam Mavi, who leaked 14 runs in the 7th over of the innings before launching Varun Chakravarthy over wide long-off with a sweet lofted shot. Pandya and Saha’s 75-run stand was ended by the latter’s wicket, but David Miller continued with the momentum, hammering Narine for a six while Pandya notched up another fifty.
Both the batters attacked the KKR spinners before Miller was dismissed by Mavi. Hardik, suffered an injury scare as he tried to complete a quick run, and was caught in the deep soon after providing the base for the likes of Tewatia, Manohar and Rashid to do the late finishing.
Pandya’s 67-run knock from 49 balls included four boundaries and a couple of maximums. Fans are excited by this super form of the Baroda all-rounder and are eager to see him back in the blue of India.
Here are some of the best reactions on Twitter to Hardik Pandya’s knock vs KKR:
“How will @hardikpandya7 manage his all-round workload + Captaincy?”
Meanwhile Hardik
#GTvKKR #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/NOV1MbdTHN
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) April 23, 2022
Indian fans would be delighted to see Hardik Pandya back in form
But can’t say the same about ‘Mumbai Indians’ fans after they released him. #KKRvsGT #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/xk6e5ZBRwQ
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) April 23, 2022
Hardik Pandya is the second leading run-scorer in #IPL2022 – man on a mission.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 23, 2022
Hardik Pandya bringing out his best performance after taking captaincy. Something I was hoping from Jadeja. #IPL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 23, 2022
Hardik Pandya as a leader has been most impressive
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) April 23, 2022
3rd Consecutive Fifty for Hardik Pandya in this IPL. He scored Brilliant 50* runs from 36 balls including 3 Fours and 2 Sixes against KKR. pic.twitter.com/3YBdvsbJLx
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) April 23, 2022
After 34 matches Hardik Pandya is the first captain who won the toss and elected to bat in #IPL2022 LOVE THIS MOVE! great captaincy
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) April 23, 2022
Hardik Pandya is smacking every opposition. With the bat, with the ball, with his captaincy. He is literally taking over every match
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) April 23, 2022
Hardik Pandya brings up his third consecutive fifty
— Kishore Chowdary (@KishorePKVK) April 23, 2022
People mocked his injuries, People mocked his fitness, People used to drag him left, right and centre, knew it already that he willl be back after recovering from injury, Now where those dogs are hiding ?? Gone back to their caves ?
Never doubt Hardik Pandya
— ‘ (@continuum_0) April 23, 2022
Hardik Pandya in Ipl 2022:
33(28), 31(27), 27(18), 50*(42) ,87*(52)
67(49).He Is Leading By Example With Bat.What A Comeback By Hardik— RCB Boy
Also Read: 3 Retired Cricketers Who Can Still Be Big Assets In The IPL
