Pune, India – Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has overtaken former opener Shikhar Dhawan to become India’s fifth-highest run-scorer in T20 internationals. Pandya achieved this milestone during the fourth T20I against England in Pune on Friday.
Pandya’s Crucial Knock Propels India
Coming in at a crucial stage, Pandya played a vital innings, scoring a brisk 53 off 34 balls, including seven fours and two sixes. His counter-attacking knock helped India recover from a precarious position of 79/5, guiding them to a competitive total of 181/9 in their 20 overs. His innings came at an impressive strike rate of over 155.
With this performance, Pandya has now amassed 1,803 runs in 113 T20Is (89 innings) at an average of 28.17 and a strike rate of 141.63. He has five half-centuries to his name, with a highest score of 71.
Pandya Overtakes Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan, who previously held the fifth spot, had scored 1,759 runs in 68 T20Is (66 innings) at an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of 126.36. His highest individual score in the format was 92, and he had registered 11 half-centuries.
India’s Leading T20I Run-Scorers
Rohit Sharma remains India’s top scorer in T20Is with 4,231 runs in 159 matches at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate of 140.89. He has recorded five centuries and 32 fifties, with his highest score being 121*. He is followed by Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav in the list of India’s leading run-getters.
Match Summary: India Clinches Series Victory
After winning the toss, England opted to field first. India suffered an early collapse, losing Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession, reducing them to 12/3. Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh attempted to stabilize the innings, but India still struggled at 79/5.
A crucial 87-run partnership between Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube helped India reach a competitive total of 181/9. England’s Saqib Mahmood, Overton, and Adil Rashid bowled well to keep India in check.
In response, England got off to a solid start with Phil Salt and Ben Duckett adding 62 runs for the first wicket. However, Indian spinners turned the game around, reducing England to 95/4. Despite a fighting half-century from Harry Brook, regular wickets at the other end saw England restricted to 166 all out, falling short by 15 runs.
Shivam Dube was named the ‘Player of the Match’ for his all-round contribution. With this win, India secured the T20I series 3-1 against England.
