Star finisher Hardik Pandya clobbered Ashok Dinda for 30 runs in the final overs to add extra spice in the ongoing 2nd match between Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiant.
The attacking right-hander batsman was in a devilish mood and pasted Dinda for four sixes and a boundary on the first five deliveries. Also, this happens to be the most expensive final over of an IPL innings.
A sigh of relief was visible on the face of skipper Steve Smith when Stokes removed Pollard in the penultimate over. The RPS side did a great job to claw back in the contest with wicket after the mid-innings break.
Pollard gave them some nervous time but the threat was nullified at the right moment. However, Smith wouldn’t have wondered that a highly expensive over was to follow.
Dinda was handed over the ball in the final over. Until that moment, he had experienced a pretty decent day (considering what happened next), conceding just 27 runs in just three overs.
However, Pandya, who is easily the best all-rounder in the country at the moment, justified the tag which he carries by hammering Dinda for three back to back sixes off the first three balls.
The right-arm fast bowler started off with a poor delivery, bowling wide full toss on the off stump. Pandya could not have got an easier opportunity, as he powerfully sent the ball flying in the square mid-off region for a six. Dinda followed up with a leg cutter which caused no problem for Pandya. He picked up the variation quickly and smashed another maximum.
The 24-year-old sent the next ball flying over the long on region for a six. This was the most stylish of the three as the fuller delivery on the leg stump met with a helicopter like pick-up shot. Smith looked flabbergasted.
After being neatly slapped with three sixes, luck decided to embarrass Dinda further as the fourth delivery went flying off the outside edge past an outstretching MS Dhoni to the boundary ropes. The onslaught continued and there was no respite. The 5th delivery also met with the same result which the first three deliveries met with; a length delivery dispatched for another six.
Left with no option, Dinda tried a full delivery. Unfortunately, it was wide delivery but got RPSS a wicket, as Southee ran himself out at the batting end.
After showcasing such a blitz, Pandya was not able to end on a high and was able to sneak just a one bye off the last delivery.
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