Walking in at No. 6 during Baroda’s final Elite Group B fixture, Pandya wasted no time. He raced to his half-century in just 19 balls, eventually hammering nine sixes and two fours at a strike rate north of 240. His onslaught came at a decisive stage, rescuing Baroda after early top-order setbacks.
Partnering Priyanshu Moliya, Pandya stitched together a rapid 90-run stand in 51 balls for the fifth wicket, shifting the momentum firmly in Baroda’s favour.
Pandya’s fireworks against Chandigarh followed another statement knock earlier in the tournament. Just five days ago, he smashed a 133 against Vidarbha, an innings featuring 11 sixes and eight fours. Although Baroda lost that match, the knock showcased Pandya’s growing comfort and dominance in the 50-over format.
After Pandya’s dismissal, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma took over the charge. Jitesh blasted 73 off 33 balls, adding a blazing 106-run partnership in 57 balls with Moliya. Earlier struggles at 11 for 2 were completely erased as Baroda surged past the 350-run mark, powered by sustained aggression through the middle and death overs.
Pandya’s domestic run has come under sharp focus, especially after he was rested for India’s ODI series against New Zealand. With four 50-plus scores in his last five innings and a flurry of sixes lighting up the tournament, the 31-year-old is letting his bat do the talking — loudly.
Hardik Pandya’s Vijay Hazare campaign is shaping into a reminder of his unmatched ability to change games in a matter of overs, making him impossible to ignore as India’s white-ball plans evolve.
