Reliance 1 batting first at DY Patil Stadium posted a big defendable total of 150/8 in 20 overs. Opener Saurab Tiwary top scored with 41 off 33 balls while it was a treat to the eyes watching Pandya wield the bat and smash those trademark sixes. Hardik who is more often than not in the hot waters ensured that he made his performance speak with a quick 25 ball 38 which included 4 biggies.
That’s not all, Reliance 1 further successfully defended the total restricting Bank of Baroda to 125 all out on the back of brilliant fifers by Pandya and Chahar. Hardik who suffered back injury had gone through a surgery and it’s a great positive to see him come up with bowling figures of 5/26 in 3.4 overs in a T20 match cleaning up the middle and lower middle order in grand fashion. Spinner Rahul Chahar was more than handy with the ball emerging as the best bowler in the match as he came up with envious bowling figures of 5/18 in 4 overs alongwith a maiden. Rahul looked in a really good shape overall while he also bowled some excellent deliveries. With IPL round the corner, Chahar has certainly made a quite statement with this performance.
With all the negativity and unwanted controversies surrounding Pandya, it’s time someone acknowledges his performance too and Cricfit wishes Pandya all the luck for a grand comeback into the Indian side.