India made a great recovery in the fifth ODI against New Zealand at Westpac Stadium in Wellington to reach 252 after being reduced to 18 for 4 in the early overs.
Ambati Rayudu and Vijay Shankar started the process with a 98-run partnership to take India to 116-5 but then Hardik Pandya’s late blitz got the visitors to a competitive total.
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The all-rounder smashed five sixes – three of them came in a row off leg-spinner Todd Astle – in his 22-ball 45 and helped India score 84 runs in the last ten overs.
Cricket fans also applauded Hardik on Twitter for his quick-fire 45.
Terrific hitting from Hardik, if he gets a couple of wickets will be in line for the man of the match hamper #NZvIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 3, 2019
Excellent burst from Pandya. He hits boundaries from shapes and positions that others may not be able to. Brilliant timer
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 3, 2019
5th Hatrick sixes for Hardik Pandya:
Imad to Pandya 6, 6, 6
Shadab to Pandya 6, 6, 6
Pushpa to Pandya 6, 6, 6
Zampa to Pandya 6, 6, 6
Astle to Pandya 6, 6, 6
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) February 3, 2019
Another hat-trick of sixes by Hardik Pandya today. Fourth time he has hit 3 sixes off 3 balls in ODIs. The only other batsman to do it 4 times in the last two decades is AB de Villiers. #NZvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 3, 2019
Brilliant innings, Hardik. Aaj tu karke aaya 👏🏼
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 3, 2019
Highest SR for batsmen in an ODI v NZ in NZ: (Min.20 balls faced)
260.00 – Shahid Afridi, Christchurch, 2011
231.03 – Shahid Afridi, Wellington, 2015
222.50 – Abdul Razzaq, Wellington, 2004
204.54 – Hardik Pandya, Wellington, 2019*#NZvIND— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 3, 2019
