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.
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.
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.
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