Hardik Pandya total century: Twitter reactions on Indian batsman’s career-best ODI score

Hardik Pandya hundred: The Indian batsman justified his inclusion into the Indian XI with an awe-inspiring fifth ODI half-century.

During the first ODI of the ongoing India’s tour of Australia in Sydney, India batsman Hardik Pandya missed out closely from becoming the third batsman to score a century in the match following the likes of Australia captain Aaron Finch and batsman Steven Smith.

Playing his first ODI since the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Pandya justified him playing ahead of Manish Pandey as a specialist batsman at No. 6.

Chasing a mammoth 375-run target, Pandya came in to bat at No. 6 in the 14th over with the Indian team struggling at 101/4. It was only on the sixth ball that he faced that Pandya ferociously pulled Australia vice-captain Pat Cummins for a boundary.

In the next over being bowled by Australia spinner Pandya hit a four and a six to reveal his mindset of not getting bogged down by the required run rate. Having hit another six off Zampa’s next over, Pandya then attacked Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell in the 23rd over by hitting him for a four and two sixes.

Pandya, who completed his half-century via a second six off Maxwell, also crossed the 1,000-run mark in the format. An 128-run partnership for the fifth wicket alongside opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan (74) sort of kept India in the match despite a tough task which continue to lie in front of them.

It was on the penultimate delivery of the 39th over that Pandya’s attempt of taking on Zampa yet again saw him getting caught by Mitchell Starc at long-on. Having scored 90 (76) with the help of seven fours and four sixes, Pandya registered his career-best ODI score.

Hardik Pandya hundred

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