Sri Lanka Vs India 3rd Test: Twitter Goes Wild As Hardik Pandya Slams 26 Runs Off One Over
Aug 13, 2017 at 1:04 PM
After the first Test in Galle, where Hardik Pandya had scored a quickfire half-century to silence his critics, India skipper Virat Kohli had said the Baroda all-rounder can be India’s Ben Stokes.
“At home, it has been different but when you play away from home, one guy gives you a lot of balance and I think Hardik can be that guy going ahead, especially playing so much cricket away from home. If he grows in confidence – you see someone like Ben Stokes, what he does for England. Brings in great balance as an allrounder. I see no reason why Hardik Pandya can’t become that for India,” Kohli had said.
Well, going by the early signs, one can safely assume that the Pandya can end India’s long search for a world-class all-rounder. The right-handed batsman, who had scored 76 off 43 balls in Champions Trophy books, entered the record books by scoring a staggering 26 runs off one over in the second Test of the ongoing third Test against Sri Lanka at Pallekele. Pandya’s assault came against spinner Malinda Pushpakumara. The allrounder hit the first two balls for fours before hitting three consecutive boundaries to collect 26 runs off the five balls. But with only 3 runs needed to break Brian Lara and George Bailey’s record of most runs in an over which is 28, Pandya failed to score off the last ball. His stunning assault, nevertheless, made him the Indian player with most runs in an over in the longest format of the game. Courtesy of the over, Pandya raced away to 83 off just 70 balls.
Here is how Twitter reacted to his knock:
Hardik Pandya can be the most dangerous Test batsman with a #11 as partner.#SLvInd
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 13, 2017
26 runs by Hardik Pandya in an over – no Indian has hit so many in a single over in Test cricket!#SLvInd
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 13, 2017
Sri Lanka : we won't let you score boundary , we ll place 9 fielder on boundary ?
Hardik Pandya :#SLvIND pic.twitter.com/UUbnkUEv2O
— Boring… (@graphicalcomic) August 13, 2017
Haridk Pandya last seven balls
6, 1, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6
From Test mode to T5 mode
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) August 13, 2017
This is the 3rd time in last 3 months Hardik Pandya has hit 3 sixes off 3 consecutive balls in International cricket; twice v Pak in CT.
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) August 13, 2017
Umpires not calling for lunch, coz Pandya is eating the bowlers and Sri Lanka have lost their appetite.
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) August 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/CricCrazyNIKS/status/896620160810860544
SriLankan Bowlers Reaction After Watching Hardik Pandya's Maiden Test 100 #SLvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/bKjl9adNMt
— Sir Ghaseeta Ram (@SirGhaseetaRam) August 13, 2017
Wow ! What an incredible century by @hardikpandya7 . Well done mere KungFu Pandya. Mazaa aa gaya.#INDvSL
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 13, 2017
Gulp! So it does pay to use your feet then! Good stat! https://t.co/haWh7p4NKB
— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) August 13, 2017
Powerful hundred from @hardikpandya7 Congratulations…also his first 1st Class hundred.
Very well played !!! #SLvInd— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) August 13, 2017
Dream Test for Hardik Pandya. A ton and Jadeja's suspension. #IndvSL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) August 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/896624153368723457