India all-rounder Hardik Pandya continued his sensational form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 by scoring a brilliant half-century against Bangladesh during the Super 8 clash on Saturday, June 22, at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua. The 30-year-old came in to bat at number six with India at 108/4 after 11.4 overs. Pandya played a pivotal role in a crucial 53-run partnership with Shivam Dube for the fifth wicket, propelling India past the 160-run mark. He completed his half-century on the very last ball of the innings, edging a delivery from Mustafizur Rahman to third man for a boundary, and remained unbeaten on 50 off 27 balls, featuring four fours and three sixes.
Hardik Pandya silencing his critics in style. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/4yiQWrgeqs
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 22, 2024
Got bullied, trolled, abused heavily. Now stepping up for his country at biggest stage
This is Hardik Pandya for you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Tj8lNkRBhQ
— leisha (@katyxkohli17) June 22, 2024
𝓚𝓾𝓷𝓰 𝓕𝓾 𝓜𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓪🥋
Hardik's 50* (27) powers India to 196🔥#T20WorldCup #INDvBAN | @hardikpandya7 pic.twitter.com/TU0GrDpjCJ
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) June 22, 2024
Following his innings, Pandya expressed his satisfaction with helping India achieve an above-par score of 196/5 in their allotted 20 overs, and he highlighted the slow nature of the surface towards the end of the innings. He noted that while the par score would have been around 180, reaching 196 was a significant achievement. Pandya praised Dube’s role in tackling the spinners, which allowed them to eventually free their hands and score more freely. He emphasized the importance of discipline and good bowling on a pitch that tends to slow down towards the end.
This was Pandya’s second half-century in T20 World Cup history, having previously scored 63 off 33 balls against England in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022. In the current tournament, Pandya has been in excellent form, scoring 89 runs from three innings at an average of 44.50 and a strike rate of 141.26. Additionally, Pandya has been exceptional with the ball, picking up seven wickets from four innings at an average of 11.14 and an economy of 5.57. Pandya will be looking to maintain his impressive form as India aims to defend their total of 196 and secure a spot in the semi-finals.
