Hardik Pandya thus far had not been at his best with the bat in IPL 2020. However, we all know how destructive he can be when he gets it right during the end overs. Against Rajasthan Royals today he did just that and produced a batting masterclass in the death overs.
The Royals have got themselves to blame for the carnage as they dropped Pandya early in his inning. As they say, luck favours the brave and post the drop, Pandya activated his beast mode and went into overdrive.
Pandya smashed all the fast bowlers of Rajasthan Royals and recorded a 19 ball half-century. It was a typical blazing knock from the MI all-rounder and his batting effort included 7 towering sixes. At one point, Mumbai Indians was looking at a target of around 170 but Pandya had other ideas.
Once he got in a zone, the gifted striker did not stop and made a mockery of the boundary ropes at Abu Dhabi. This was Hardik Pandya’s first half-century in IPL 2020 and it came at the right time. On the back of his outrageous knock, MI posted a total of 195 after 20 overs. It was at good as it gets from Pandya as he had an incredible strike rate of 285.
Twitter Praises Hardik Pandya
Meanwhile, Twitter was on fire after Hardik Pandya scored 60 off mere 21 balls. After his exceptional knock Pandya pointed out that he wasn’t trying to over hit the ball and backed his timing to clear the boundary ropes.
“Enjoyed it a lot. Was waiting for this. Today I was focusing on making sure I don’t overhit it because I think I have enough power to clear the boundary. So I was more trying to time the ball and making sure I hit close to my body because I feel that’s where I have more control”, said Hardik Pandya.
Here’s how Twitter reacted after the special batting effort of Hardik Pandya from Sachin Tendulkar to Harsha Bhogle and more.
Brilliantly paced innings by @hardikpandya7. Played some amazing shots! #RRvMI
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 25, 2020
Also Read: IPL 2020: Watch- Shreyas Gopal Cleans Up Kieron Pollard With A Googly
Hardik ‘Hard-Hitting’ Pandya 🙇♂️ #MI
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) 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
Just wow! @hardikpandya7 pic.twitter.com/clJ0NEcZwd
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) October 25, 2020
Also Read: IPL 2020: Top 5 Oldest Players To Score A Fifty In IPL History
Hardik Pandya game changer! #MumbaiIndians
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 25, 2020
This is "Pandya time", No Hardik swagat for bowlers!😀 #IPLinUAE #IPL2020
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) October 25, 2020
#HardikPandya 21 ball knock not only neutralises the fine effort for 17 overs by Royals but may have just decided the fate of the match. #MIvRR
— Vimal कुमार (@Vimalwa) October 25, 2020
Hardik is something else eh🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/1Uk00G7HJb
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 25, 2020
