First a World Cup selection, and then a match-winning performance – Hardik Pandya will probably go to sleep tonight with a smile on his face!
On a day when he was named in India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the 25-year-old all-rounder smashed a 16-ball 37 to help Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 5 wickets at the Wankhede stadium.
Mumbai needed 22 runs from the last two overs but Hardik took just six balls to hit the required runs, smashing left-arm spinner Pawan Negi for two boundaries and as may sixes to end the run chase.
He finished the game with a single off the last ball of the 19th over as Mumbai reached 172 for 5 in 19 overs.
Twitterati couldn’t help but heap praise on Pandya and his heroics that helped MI register their fifth win in 8 matches this season.