Hardik Pandya’s 4th IPL half-century: The hard-hitting batsman from the defending champions became a source of amazement in Abu Dhabi.
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During the 45th match of the ongoing 13th season of the Indian Premier League between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi, Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s fourth IPL half-century has powered his team to a formidable 195/5 in 20 overs.
Coming in to bat at No. 6 in the 14th over, Pandya took the opposition bowlers to the cleaners as it was him who rescued Indians after they lost as many as three wickets in quick succession in the middle-order.
Having scored eight runs on the first nine balls that he faced, Pandya ended up hitting 52 runs on the next 12 deliveries to play a freaky innings. The right-hand batsman first targeted Rajasthan Royals pacer Ankit Rajpoot in the 18th over by hitting as many as four sixes.
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Not been able to find the boundary against Jofra Archer in the penultimate over, Pandya then attacked Kartik Tyagi in the last over by hitting three sixes and two fours to end up scoring 60* (21) with the help of two fours and seven sixes. After MI captain Kieron Pollard won the toss and chose to bat, the team would be contended with the first-innings score.
As far as the bowlers from Royals are concerned, Shreyas Gopal and Archer were the pick of the lot with a couple of wickets each under their belt tonight.
Hardik Pandya’s 4th IPL half-century
Brilliantly paced innings by @hardikpandya7. Played some amazing shots! #RRvMI
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 25, 2020
Hardik Pandya game changer! #MumbaiIndians
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 25, 2020
I have been lucky to have seen @hardikpandya7 play a few sensational innings. But even by those standards, this was astonishing. Very very special. He is a rare talent
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 25, 2020
Hardik ‘Hard-Hitting’ Pandya 🙇♂️ #MI
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 25, 2020
Kung Fu Pandya is back 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 25, 2020
Beast mode on @hardikpandya7 Some finish that.. And that’s just what makes @mipaltan the dominant force they are … From top to number 7… Someone’s gonna get you ! This again minus Rohit Sharma ! #RRvMI
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) October 25, 2020
Only Hardik Pandya and Saurabh Tiwari did not have any major impactful performance for MI this season. Now that also has been sorted . The only weakness MI has is to figure out how to WIN a Super Over in Dubai. #IPL2020 #MIvRR
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) October 25, 2020
Is it still addressed as batting ? Hardik Pandya … smashing the ball ‘again’ to different parts of the ground with complete control. Lusty blows 👊🏻💪🏻 @hardikpandya7 #Mi 👏🏻🙌🏻
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) October 25, 2020
What a knock! @hardikpandya7 so good to see you back at your best, post the injury. Looks like you have come back stronger 💪🏽
The #MI bowling is a solid attack. Looks like they’ve got this. #MIvsRR— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) October 25, 2020
Just wow! @hardikpandya7 pic.twitter.com/clJ0NEcZwd
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) October 25, 2020
Smashing innings by @hardikpandya7 – whatta finisher- 60*(21) Boom Boom 💥 💥 -well played champion
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) October 25, 2020
Hardik Pandya, remember the name. When this man is hitting it, it stays hit. 60 off 21 is pure freak hitting. Whatteman.
— Siddarth Srinivas (@sidhuwrites) October 25, 2020
Congratulations Rockstar 🤘@hardikpandya7 #MIvRR
— RIDHIMA PATHAK (@PathakRidhima) October 25, 2020
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