In the first ODI of the 5 match series between India and Australia, Hardik Pandya produced an all-round performance to guide Men in Blue to a 26-run victory against the Aussies under the Duckworth-Lewis method in the rain-hit encounter.
With Team India being 87/5 at one stage, Pandya went on to strike a career-best 83 to form a match-winning partnership with MS Dhoni (79) and guide Team India to a total of 281/7 in 50 overs.
However, a lengthy mid-innings rain break left Australia needing 164 runs in 21 overs to go 1-0 up in the series. But Steve Smith & Co. could just manage to score 137 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their full quota of overs.
Meanwhile, one of the fans who got really impressed by Hardik’s performance was Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor.
After India beat Australia, Anil Kapoor didn’t delay a bit and praised the team as well as the shining stars of the match on Twitter.
Incredible recovery & a smashing win by India! @hardikpandya7 & @msdhoni are true champs! What a great game!! #INDvAUS #bleedingblue
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) September 17, 2017
The Bollywood star’s tweet and praises meant a lot for Hardik. And expressing that he is a huge fan of Anil Kapoor, here’s what Pandya tweeted to the actor in reply:
Thank you sir! I'm a big big fan of yours 😊
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) September 17, 2017
However, Anil Kapoor’s reply to Pandya’s tweet is something you all will agree with. Here’s what the actor wrote in this message:
@hardikpandya7 After the way you played yesterday, the whole country is your fan! So proud of you & #TeamIndia! https://t.co/Dxh0VhZvV9
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) September 18, 2017
Well, it’s not the first time that the Bollywood legend has showered praise for Indian cricketer. He and his daughter Sonam Kapoor congratulated MS Dhoni when the former Indian skipper played his 300th ODI.
Here’s what the father and daughter duo then wrote for Mahi:
Fantastic centuries by @imVkohli & @ImRo45 !! Great to see India win as @msdhoni records his 300th match for India! #Dhoni300 #livinglegends pic.twitter.com/XTP0cg0MeN
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) August 31, 2017
It’s always been a delight to watch you play. Amaze @msdhoni! #Dhoni300 https://t.co/gfwt6Aorip
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) August 31, 2017
