Hardik Pandya’s hat-trick of sixes: The Indian all-rounder hit three consecutive sixes to set the ball rolling for India in the slog overs.
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During the fifth ODI of the ongoing India’s tour of New Zealand at Wellington, India all-rounder Hardik Pandya yet again proved as to why he can be an idle finisher for the Indian team. Without wasting any time, Pandya put his best foot forward to propel India to 252 in 49.5 overs.
After India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat in testing conditions, the Indian top-order failed the test for they were reduced to 18-4 in the 10th over. Providing the rescue act, Ambati Rayudu and Vijay Shankar stitched a 98-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Hardik Pandya hit five sixes, including three in a row, as India scored 84 runs in the final ten overshttps://t.co/eQo7jRidHk #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/wqjvf6Z9mk
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 3, 2019
18 for 4 to finish 252 it’s a very good recovery well done @RayuduAmbati @vijayshankar260 @JadhavKedar superb partnership and top hitting by @hardikpandya7 in the end.. need @MdShami11 @BhuviOfficial to take a couple of wickets with new ball now to win this one @BCCI @aajtak
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 3, 2019
India required someone to play a blinder of an innings towards the end to post a competitive total. Coming in to bat at No. 8 in the 44th over, Pandya didn’t have the cushion of spending time in the middle.
ALSO READ: Fans and former cricketers elated as Rayudu and Pandya power India to 252.
Having scored four runs on the first seven balls which he faced, Pandya took on inexperienced Todd Astle in the 47th over, hitting him for three consecutive sixes. On the second ball of the over, Pandya started the proceedings by belting a short delivery for a six over deep midwicket.
On the following delivery, Pandya hit a fuller ball for a six through the off-side. Astle’s attempt of changing the line of the ball into the batsman saw him getting hit for a third six in a row.
A 🔥 cameo by #HardikPandya helped 🇮🇳 post 252 in 49.5 overs. Will the visitors’ bowlers be able to defend the score or will the @BLACKCAPS come out on top? All answers from the Kiwi run chase LIVE only on Star Sports. #NZvIND
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 3, 2019
Absolutely — fourth time in ODIs
Did that against Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan in Champions Trophy 2017.
Adam Zampa in 2017 and against Todd Astle today— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) February 3, 2019
Pandya followed it up by smashing Trent Boult for a six and James Neesham for a six and two fours in the subsequent overs. Before getting out on the last ball of the penultimate over, Pandya scored a quickfire 45 (22) with the help of two fours and five sixes.
Watch the full video below:
Hat trick sixes by Hardik Pandya pic.twitter.com/kPI1lg7FMP
— MS (@premchoprafan) February 3, 2019
