India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been in some fine batting form in the last few matches, and in the IND vs NAM T20 World Cup match on Thursday, went on to score 52 from 28 deliveries. This happened to be his 8th fifty in the format in 102 innings. Coming in after the fall of Suryakumar Yadav, he paired well with Shivam Dube, and did not let the run-rate dip.
Hardik Pandya slams 52 in 28 deliveries
The result of which was, the duo added 81 runs together in just 39 deliveries, which was instrumental in taking the score over 200. Yes, the Delhi pitch was certainly good for batting, but it also aided the spinners. So, at a time when Gerhard Erasmus was operating (returned with figures of 4/20), he took his time and targeted other bowlers.
Pandya’s innings included four fours and as many sixes, and was operating at a strike-rate of 185. Meanwhile, this innings has only come as a reminder, as to how good a form, he is in. In the fifth T20I vs New Zealand recently, he had gone on to score 42 from 17 deliveries.
Team India extend record
On team front, this was the fourth time that the Indian team went on to score over 200 in a T20 World Cup match. Earlier, they had scored 205/5 vs Australia in the 2024 edition, 210/2 vs Afghanistan in 2021, and 218/4 vs England in 2007. In addition to that, India also extended their record of most 200+ in T20Is to 47.
The next best team on the list is South Africa — 29 times, New Zealand 28 times, Australia & West Indies 25 times each.
