Hard – hitting all-rounder Hardik Pandya won many hearts with his baffling knock of 76 against Pakistan in the finals of the Champions Trophy 2017. Just when India was down and out, the right hander walked in and kicked off storm that brought a brief time to cheer for Indian fans as Pakistan bowlers tightened their grip over the match.
But, it seems, it were not the fans who were completely in awe of Pandya’s impromptu attack on Pakistan’s bowlers. Bollywood ladies also had themselves bowled over by his antics. It was a stunning performance which did not go unacknowledged at all as tweets from the actresses poured in as soon as he began his fireworks.
Singer Sophie Chaudry, Sushmita Sen, Huma Qureshi and Tapsee Pannu were some of the prominent leading names who extended their support for the upcoming star.
Woohoo @hardikpandya7 .. Thanku for giving #india something to cheer about ???????? #indvpak #CT2017Final #teamindia
— Sophie C (@Sophie_Choudry) June 18, 2017
Whoa…. @hardikpandya7. WHAT WAS THAT?!?!????#IndvPak
— SONAL CHAUHAN (@sonalchauhan7) June 18, 2017
Very well played Pandya!!!! ???❤️??I so wanted to see him score a century…would've been richly deserved!!!! ????
— sushmita sen (@thesushmitasen) June 18, 2017
Love the energy of all the young players on both sides!!!!???❤️they exude such #fire ??? way to go!!!! What a 6 Pandya ???❤️???
— sushmita sen (@thesushmitasen) June 18, 2017
@hardikpandya7 I'm a fan!!!!! ✌️✨?
— Gauahar Khan (@GAUAHAR_KHAN) June 18, 2017
The better team won today.. but my heart will always #BleedBlue next time team India.. @hardikpandya7 u fought so well!!
— Huma S Qureshi (@humasqureshi) June 18, 2017
@hardikpandya7 ???? u had the real grit to step in at that time n build our hopes ?????? #IndVsPak https://t.co/cKMcoib5Mp
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) June 18, 2017
The scoreboard read India 72-6. India had lost its top three – Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli apart from Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni in the middle order. Kedar Jadhav’s departure only added to the woes. There were still 267 runs to win and victory looked improbable. the end was not too far buut but then came in Pandya.
He added the zing to the otherwise tasteless batting performance from India. Shortly, after coming to the crease, sixes and boundaries began flowing in. He smashed the Pakistanis with utmost dominance and ease.
His super show saw him go past the 50 run mark in no time. He looked unstoppable. The likes of Hassan Ali and Shadab Khan, the newest sensations in the Indian bowling attack suddenly were made to feel nervous.
Indian had some hopes of an unlikely win coming. Many felt this as a recap of the 2002 Natwest final, India’s most memorable come from behind victory so far in its ODI history.
Unfortunately, his innings was cut short by an confused looking Ravindra Jadeja which brought the curtains down on Indian inning finally.