Hardik Pandya’s explosive batting in August 2017 against Sri Lanka is remembered for his stunning display of power hitting, particularly during an over bowled by P.M. Pushpakumara at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Here’s a more detailed look at that remarkable moment:
Date: The incident took place during the third ODI of India’s tour of Sri Lanka on August 27, 2017.
Match Situation: India was in a dominant position, and Hardik Pandya was in the middle of a fiery, fast-paced innings. This over came in the context of a well-paced partnership, and India was aiming to push the score further.
Bowler: The over in question was bowled by Pushpakumara, a left-arm orthodox spinner.
Pandya’s Batting: Hardik Pandya, who had already shown his hitting ability in shorter formats, went on a rampage in this over.
First Ball: Pandya hit a four through the covers, using a solid drive to get the innings rolling.
Second Ball: Another four, this time a slightly more aggressive shot, finding the gap to the boundary.
Third Ball: Six—Pandya launched the ball over the long-on boundary, a clean, powerful shot.
Fourth Ball: Six again, this time to deep midwicket, where the ball sailed high and long over the fielder’s head.
Fifth Ball: Six once more—this one was a straight hit, clearing the ropes with ease.
Sixth Ball: No score here, as Pandya missed out on the last delivery of the over.
Power Hitting: This over showcased Pandya’s ability to hit boundaries and sixes in a variety of ways—through the cover, over the midwicket, and with a straight hit. The combination of his hand-eye coordination and power made him a nightmare for bowlers.
Total of 26 Runs: Scoring 26 runs in an over (four boundaries and three sixes) off a bowler, especially in an ODI, is an impressive feat. It’s a reminder of Pandya’s aggressive approach to batting, particularly in the later stages of an innings.
Dramatic Impact: Pandya’s destructive approach in this over helped India push their score further, and it provided a thrilling spectacle for the audience, emphasizing how he could change the course of a match in just a few deliveries.
India’s Total: Thanks to Pandya’s explosive batting and contributions from other players, India posted a strong total. They eventually scored 317/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
Pandya’s Final Contribution: Hardik Pandya finished with a quick-fire 36 runs off 21 balls, which included this over. His performance was one of the key highlights of India’s innings.
Sri Lanka’s Response: Despite this aggressive display, Sri Lanka struggled to chase down India’s total. They were bowled out for 216 runs, and India won the match by 168 runs, taking a 3-0 series lead.
Tactical Evolution: This over demonstrated the growing trend of power hitters in modern cricket, especially in the shorter formats like ODIs and T20s. Pandya’s aggressive batting was part of India’s broader strategy of having finishers who could take the game away from the opposition in the final overs.
Hardik Pandya’s Role: This moment was just one instance of Pandya’s development as a key all-rounder for India, capable of contributing with both bat and ball in crucial moments. He was increasingly seen as an important asset in India’s limited-overs setup, especially in the middle order.
This memorable over is often cited as an example of the destructive potential Pandya possessed during his peak. It also contributed to his reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers in limited-overs cricket. Pandya’s ability to turn a game with his batting—particularly in the final stages of an innings—has been a defining feature of his career, and this over is a perfect example of that talent.
