The new star of the Indian team, all-rounder Hardik Pandya played a blistering knock of 83 runs off just 66 balls to put India’s total to 281 after Australian pace Nathan Counter-Nile wrecked a havoc through India’s top-order in the first match of the five-match series against Australia at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
The hard-hitting batsman was well accompanied by MS Dhoni playing a matured innings of 79 runs taking India to a decent total. Pandya was his usual self-hitting Adam Zampa all round the park. In the 37th over of the match, Pandya hit the leg-spinner for 24 runs courtesy three mammoth sixes and a boundary.
However, despite all the heroics, the fans didn’t fail to notice that the 23-year-old cricketer was donning the gloves of the franchise team Mumbai Indians from the Indian Premier League (IPL) during his stint at the crease.
Another IPL team who will make a comeback to the prestigious tournament after serving a ban for two years for allegedly involved in spot-fixing case Chennai Super Kings also confirmed the new from their official twitter handle.
Pandya wearing @mipaltan gloves. Dhoni back in Chepauk. Both playing for @BCCI. Unity in diversity. @IPL for the win. 🦁#INDvAUS
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 17, 2017
They wrote, “Pandya wearing @mipaltan gloves. Dhoni back in Chepauk. Both playing for @BCCI. Unity in diversity. @IPL for the win. #INDvAUS.”
Pandya wearing his @mipaltan gloves.#INDvAUS
— Krishnakumar (@KrishnaKN22) September 17, 2017
The rain-affected match saw a revised target of 164 runs in 21 overs for the chasing Australian team. Going at a good run-rate Australia lost wickets at regular interval with Indian bowler bowling a tight line and length.
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Hardik Pandya bagged two wickets with the ball after his swashbuckling innings which earned him the man of the match award. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal also bowled exceptionally well picking up two and three wickets respectively.
India will take on Australia in the second match of the series at Kolkata scheduled to play on September 21.