It is perhaps fitting that as Hardik Pandya is ascending as a proper all-rounder in limited-overs cricket by making a match-winning impact with the ball, he has, on his rise now, registered his best ODI bowling figures – 4/24 in 7 overs – when he dismissed four English batsmen on Sunday at Old Trafford.
And these four names are amongst the most destructive batters in the world: Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Liam Livingstone and Jos Buttler.
Pandya had earlier, the Southampton T20I, taken a four-wicket haul showcasing his excellent control and path to mastery of length; with the same modus operandi, he downed England today.
Hardik Pandya changed the game for India with the ball
Length, Short of length and bouncer is what got Pandya all of his four wickets as each batsman tried to pull him and failed with their connection.
His first spell brought India two wickets – Roy and Stokes, both top-edging and mistiming their pulls – as he bowled two maidens as well; his first spell read: 4-3-2-2.
Explaining his plans after England’s innings, Hardik Pandya said: “I had to bend my back a bit. I had to change my plans – realised that this was not the wicket to go full – and go for the short-ball, use it as a wicket-taking delivery. I fancy my bouncers. In ODIs you have to take on the short ball and that gives a chance to take wickets.
There was an ego battler with Pandya and Livingstone. Despite Livingstone hitting Hardik for a couple of sixes on his short ball, the seamer persisted with his plans and eventually hard Livingstone – and then Buttler, too – caught at deep square leg by Ravindra Jadeja.
“Livingstone likes to take on the short ball and that gives me goosebumps, he hit me for two sixes but I told my captain even if I go for four sixes here, if I take a wicket, it will make a difference,” he said.
Netizens hailed Hardik Pandya for his sensational bowling comeback having struggled with back injuries over the past three years.
Here are some of the best reactions to Hardik Pandya’s four-fer in the third ODI:
Innings Break!
England are all out for 259 in 45.5 overs.
Hardik Pandya was pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/24 in 7 overs.
Scorecard – https://t.co/radUqNrOn1 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/RvZQvaPCqT
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 17, 2022
5 for 28 in Tests in England.
4 for 24 in ODI in England.
4 for 33 in T20I in England.Hardik Pandya loves bowling in England – 3 best performances in 3 formats came in England. pic.twitter.com/SyYu5FwRef
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 17, 2022
Everytime #TeamIndia needs a breakthrough
Hardik Pandya: pic.twitter.com/OpgmmzrQH1
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) July 17, 2022
Hardik Pandya 6-3-18-4. Career best bowling spell by Hardik, what a form he’s been in since his return.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 17, 2022
Taking 4+ wicket hauls against an opposition at their own home in Test, ODI and T20I:
Shakib Al Hasan
in Zimbabwe
Hardik Pandya— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) July 17, 2022
in Zimbabwe
in EnglandHardik Pandya has taken 4 or more wkts in an innings in all 3 formats in England.
Only one English player has achieved this feat, he is Chris Jordan. #ENGvIND— Prithvi (@Puneite_) July 17, 2022
Repeating it again Prime Hardik Pandya is completely unmatchable.! One of the best all rounder in white ball in recent times.!
— Deep Point (@ittzz_spidey) July 17, 2022
Hardik Pandya said “Rohit Sharma has handled me nicely – he has been fantastic as a captain”.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 17, 2022
Hardik Pandya with the ball till now:
0000W01000010W0000000000
4-3-2-2. Phenomenal stuff! #ENGvIND
— 12th Khiladi (@12th_khiladi) July 17, 2022
Hardik Pandya since the IPL has his GOD mode on.
— India Fantasy (@india_fantasy) July 17, 2022
Everytime Hardik Pandya comes in to bowl: pic.twitter.com/oIkFmeVTR5
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) July 17, 2022
Hardik Pandya said ” Skipper Rohit Sharma has been brilliant on when I should bowl and when I should not, he has handled me greatly “. pic.twitter.com/FIhQbE8Lth
— Rohit Sharma Fanclub India (@Imro_fanclub) July 17, 2022
