Soon after making a comeback, Hardik Pandya showed why he was being missed in the Indian team.
The all-rounder was named in India’s playing eleven for the third ODI against New Zealand at the Bay Oval on Monday, 28 January.
After the visitors were put in to bowl, Pandya took a stunning catch off Yuzvendra Chahal’s delivery in the 17th over of the game to dismiss captain Kane Williamson for 28.
As Williamson stepped out and flicked the delivery aerially towards mid-wicket, Pandya dived full stretch to his left and took a stunner.
The all-rounder earned high praise from the cricket fraternity on Twitter for his extraordinary catch. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif wrote, “That was a fielder’s wicket, absolutely stunning catch from Hardik Pandya”.
(For live updates from the third India vs New Zealand ODI, click here.)
Pandya, who was introduced into the attack in the 11th over, also managed to pick two wickets.
He dismissed Henry Nicholls for 6, and followed it up with Mitchell Santner’s wicket in the next over he bowled to reduce New Zealand to 198/6.
He eventually ended his 10 overs with figures of 2/45.
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