In the Vijay Hazare Trophy match between Baroda and Vidarbha in Rajkot on Saturday, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya hit six sixes, including five in an over, on his way to a 93-ball 133.
Vidarbha had gained control of the game by reducing Baroda to 71 for five at one point and then 136 for six in the first half, but Pandya turned things around with an overall 11 sixes and 8 fours.
But in his opening game of the competition, Pandya batted as low as No. 7 and came out firing to make his first List appearance. Baroda reached a competitive total of 293 for nine in their 50 overs thanks to a century in his 119th game.
Pandya went after Vidarbha spinner Parth Rekhade in the 39th over and amassed 34 runs, including five sixes and a four.
The left-arm spinner’s final ball was hit for a boundary, but the first five balls flew over the ropes.
Pandya started the counterattack with just 31 singles in his innings, smashing the majority of his sixes over long-on and in the midwicket area. A few flew past far-off as well.
The fact that Vishnu Solanki, who scored 26, was the next best batter in Baroda’s innings is further indication of Pandya’s dominance.
