No. 1: Hardik Pandya’s final over vs Bangladesh in World T20 2016:
You might call it an ugliest choice, but this is the one that made the cut above all in this list of five which was a cliffhanger, when millions back home had their chests pounding to witness that miracles can happen in cricket too.
Once there was a tag attached to Bangladesh (of minnows) which they shredded at pace following performance after performances. Bangladesh team did all things right in the game against India, but faltered in the mega event when it mattered the most.
After receiving a beating at the hands of Pakistan in the previous game, Bangladesh bowled well and in chase and looked set to win the game comfortably, but medium pacer Hardik Pandya had other ideas as Mahendra Singh Dhoni entrusted him to bowl the final over of the innings which later on was stated as an ‘out-of-the-box’ idea.
His tactic proved to be a masterstroke as Pandya was called upon to defend ten runs in the last over. More like a wild-card entry at the big stage.
The first three balls cost nine runs as Mushfiqur Rahim smoked two superb boundaries to see silence around the stands.
Following the emotions and drama, the next three balls saw moments of brilliance from Pandya due to a pathetic shot selection and the lack of presence of mind from Bangladesh batsmen.
The 23-year-old promising all-rounder went on to take two wickets on consecutive deliveries and then gloveman MS Dhoni sprinted towards the stumps to take the last wicket (run-out) to see India snatch a win from possible defeat against the Bengal Tigers.
In the ICC World T20 2016 Super 10 game at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, Bangladesh lost the nail-biter by one-run. Pandya bagged two crucial wickets in four overs after conceding 29 runs.