Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya tore through the Vijay Hazare Trophy bowling attack on Thursday with one of the most destructive knocks of the season. Representing Baroda against Chandigarh, the 32-year-old smashed an electrifying 75 off just 31 balls, including nine sixes and two fours, at an astonishing strike rate of 241.93 to take control of the innings.
Coming in to bat at 213/5, Pandya’s brutal assault helped Baroda post a commanding 391 all out in their 50 overs at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, setting a huge target for Chandigarh.
Pandya’s blitz began immediately — he reached his half-century in a mere 19 balls, showcasing his trademark power hitting that has become a hallmark of his white-ball game.
He received strong support from:
- Priyanshu Moliya, who top-scored with a century (113 off 106), anchoring the innings.
- Jitesh Sharma, the wicketkeeper-batter who followed up with a quick 73 off 33 balls, striking eight fours and four sixes to maintain the momentum.
Despite early setbacks, Baroda’s batting lineup recovered superbly, with effective contributions from multiple players before Pandya’s carnage tilted the match emphatically in their favour.
Pandya’s Red-Hot Form
This explosive performance comes just days after Pandya hit a stunning 133 against Vidarbha earlier in the tournament, where he reached his century in blistering fashion and showcased his power with 11 sixes and eight fours.
Across his first two matches of the season, Pandya has amassed 208 runs in brutal style, underlining his red-hot domestic form.
Although he was not selected in India’s ODI squad for the recent New Zealand series — largely due to workload management and restrictions on bowling overs — he returned to bowl for Baroda in this game and even claimed a key wicket, signaling growing sharpness with the ball.
The BCCI had earlier clarified that Pandya has not yet been cleared to bowl a full 10-over quota in competitive matches as his workload continues to be managed ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Continued Excellence
Elsewhere in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ruturaj Gaikwad delivered a commanding performance for Maharashtra, smashing a statement century (134 not out) to keep his prolific season rolling. According to reports, Gaikwad continued to break multiple domestic records with his innings, showcasing consistency and class with the bat.
Gaikwad now stands among the tournament’s standout performers, adding another impressive milestone to his burgeoning List A credentials.