Hardik Pandya has established himself as a mainstay in the Indian ranks ever since his return to the national side and the kind of brilliance that he has brought to the table is unparalleled to say the least.
As the hunt for the World Cup continues, Hardik will be a crucial element in the Indian colours as he drives the middle order. In absence of Ravindra Jadeja, he will hold a crucial key to stabilise the Indian ranks and given his aforementioned proclivity towards delivering Down Under, let’s just hope that he proves to be the X-factor in the Indian ranks.
Here are Hardik Pandya’s top 5 knocks in T20I cricket:
#1 71* vs Australia, Mohali, 2022
This knock is pretty recent and won’t need a separate jog of your memories. This came against the recently concluded series against Australia where probably the Indian bowlers fell short of the line but Pandya took India flying. Just when Australia had found a glimmer of hope with a couple of wickets, he came raining down upon the bowlers and the kind of strikes that he conjured, well, Australia was desperately scrambling for shelter. He stayed unbeaten for a staggering 71 that also starred 3 colossal sixes in the final over.
#2 33* vs Pakistan, Dubai, 2022
The numbers seem to pretty ordinary in this equation but this was a very special knock from the hard-hitting all-rounder who stayed hanging in between, gave a nod of approval at the other end for missing a delivery and then smoked it across the ropes in absolutely theatrical fashion. This knock was that of conviction. This knock was that of answers that never came a couple of years back. This knock was that of an announcement, an announcement which said, the Titan is back.
#3 51 vs England, Southampton, 2022
Hardik first rocked the English forces with the ball in his hand, claiming 4 crucial wickets in the game and then he came to the deliverance of Team India, hammering a match-winning half-century, effortlessly guiding Team India to the gates of victory. More importantly, he turned on the heat with a string of colossal strikes. This was another knock of assertion that left the world believing that better times were ahead.
#4 42* vs Australia, Sydney, 2020
As we talked about Hardik’s penchant for smacking big in Australia, this was one special knock that instilled fears on the hearts of the Australians. Coming out to bat at a stage where victory felt like a myth, he started unleashing the heavy artillery. He pranced his way past the Australian bowlers who thought that they had the game in their pocket but eventually was proven wrong after Kung-fu Pandya left them broken, battered and scarred.
#5 46 vs South Africa, Rajkot, 2022
This game was special for Dinesh Karthik terrorizing the South African bowlers while Hardik Pandya’s crucial anchoring cameo that was everything but an anchor, helped Team India pile up 169, despite a shaky start that brought them down to 81 for 4 from 13 overs. The duo stabilised the innings and then went firing on all cylinders as the visitors were left reeling in sweltering heat that was piled at both ends.
