Hardik Pandya’s Explosive Knock Secures Victory for Baroda
India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya showcased his devastating batting skills in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, smashing 69 off just 30 balls to lead Baroda to a nail-biting last-ball victory over Tamil Nadu. Chasing a daunting target of 222 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, Pandya’s late-game heroics turned the tide in Baroda’s favor.
Walking in at No.6 with Baroda struggling at 152/6 in the 16th over, Pandya wasted no time making an impact. In the very next over, he unleashed a brutal assault on Chennai Super Kings’ newest recruit, Gurjapneet Singh. Known for his scalps of Virat Kohli in the nets and Cheteshwar Pujara in the Ranji Trophy, Gurjapneet faced Pandya’s wrath as the Baroda skipper smashed him for four consecutive sixes followed by a boundary, racking up 29 runs in the over, including a no-ball. This blistering display reduced the target to a manageable 36 runs off 18 balls.
Pandya’s fireworks continued as he struck three more sixes and three boundaries in the final overs, scoring 30 of the remaining runs to secure a thrilling seven-wicket win for Baroda. Despite being taken for three sixes in an earlier over by Vijay Shankar, Pandya’s match-winning performance earned him the Player of the Match honor.
Shreyas Iyer Justifies Record IPL Auction Price
Shreyas Iyer demonstrated why he fetched a staggering INR 26.75 crore at the IPL auction in Jeddah, where he was signed by Punjab Kings as the second-most expensive player in IPL history. Iyer, who entered the auction with a base price of INR 2 crore, delivered a stunning performance for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier batter.
Following a century earlier in the tournament, Iyer continued his red-hot form by scoring a brilliant 71 off 39 balls in Mumbai’s successful chase of 172 against Maharashtra in Hyderabad. His innings, laced with eight fours and three sixes, was instrumental in guiding Mumbai to a comfortable five-wicket victory in just 17.1 overs.
Ajinkya Rahane provided crucial support to his captain, contributing a composed 52 off 34 balls. Together, the two senior players built a 110-run partnership for the third wicket, ensuring Mumbai’s smooth passage to victory. Iyer’s consistent performances not only reinforced his hefty IPL price tag but also highlighted his value as a dependable match-winner.
Hardik Pandya’s explosive finish and Shreyas Iyer’s composed brilliance underscore the depth of talent in Indian cricket, with both players showcasing their skills on domestic and international stages.
