NEW DELHI: All-rounder Hardik Pandya was at his absolute best on Wednesday as his sizzling 30-ball 69 powered Baroda to a thrilling three-wicket win over Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Indore.
Hardik lit up the Holkar Stadium with his brutal knock in the high-scoring encounter which saw the 31-year-old hit 4 fours and 7 colossal sixes.
In a sheer display of power hitting, Hardik took TN bowlers to the cleaners, smacking them to all the corners of the park.
Gurjapneet Singh, in particular, came under Hardik’s radar as in his 17th over the all-rounder collected 29 with the help of 4 consecutive sixes and a four.
In chase of a massive 222-run target, Hardik’s dazzling effort at no.6 slot, powered Baroda to a final-ball win.
With Baroda needing 11 off the last over, Hardik suffered an unfortunate run out but Raj Limbani and A Sheth held their nerves to take Baroda across the finish line on the last ball.
Hardik is featuring in SMAT after a long time and this time around he is playing under the captaincy of elder brother Krunal Pandya.
Hardik has been in top form in SMAT so far.
In the two matches before the TN game, Hardik hit an unbeaten 74 against Gujarat and then smashed 41 not out against Uttarakhand.
Against Tamil Nadu, Hardik bowled three overs as well, conceding 44 runs and ended up without any wicket.