Hardik Pandya has made a significant mark in cricket history by becoming India’s leading finisher in T20 Internationals. The Mumbai Indians all-rounder has now sealed the most wins for India with sixes, surpassing legends like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. This achievement came during the first T20I against Bangladesh, where his electrifying performance included a remarkable no-look four and a decisive six, guiding India to victory at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior.
Hardik Pandya’s Dazzling No-Look Shot
With India requiring just 10 runs to clinch the match from 52 balls, Hardik Pandya entered the field exuding confidence. Facing pacer Taskin Ahmed, he executed an impressive no-look shot, ramping a back-of-a-length delivery over the wicketkeeper for a boundary. This audacious stroke quickly gained traction on social media, demonstrating his flair and self-assurance.
Pandya’s brilliance continued as he faced Taskin again on the next delivery. The bowler delivered a full toss, which Pandya swung at with authority. His bat flew towards the leg side upon contact, sending the ball racing past backward point for another four. This moment not only showcased his power but also added an element of excitement to his innings.
A Stylish Finish
As India approached victory with just two runs needed, Pandya mirrored the finishing style of MS Dhoni to conclude the game dramatically. He pulled a short delivery over cow corner for a six, wrapping up the match with an impressive 39 runs off just 16 balls, including five fours and two sixes. This performance not only secured the win but also reinforced his reputation as one of India’s most dependable finishers in T20 cricket.
Record for Most Sixes to Finish T20I Matches:
With this victory, Hardik Pandya set a record for the most sixes while finishing matches for India in T20 Internationals:
- 5 – Hardik Pandya
- 4 – Virat Kohli
- 3 – MS Dhoni
- 3 – Rishabh Pant
- 1 – Shivam Dube
- 1 – Shreyas Iyer
This accomplishment highlights Pandya’s significant impact on the game and his ability to perform under pressure.
Watch: Hardik Pandya’s No-Look Four and Six Propel India to Victory in T20I Against Bangladesh
Contributions from Other Players
While Pandya was the standout performer, he received strong support from skipper Suryakumar Yadav and opener Sanju Samson, who both contributed 29 runs. Abhishek Sharma got off to a quick start with 16 runs off seven balls before being run out by Towhid Hridoy. Debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy also made his presence felt by finishing unbeaten on 16 runs off 15 deliveries.
Earlier in the match, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Indian bowlers delivered an outstanding performance, limiting Bangladesh to just 127 runs in 19.3 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy were particularly effective, each taking three wickets, while debutant Mayank Yadav also claimed one wicket.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
