Hardik Pandya’s 133 and T20 Milestone Light Up Indian Cricket
Rajkot witnessed a special innings as Hardik Pandya took charge for Baroda against Vidarbha in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Walking in with his team reeling at 71 for 5, the experienced all-rounder calmly assessed the situation before turning the game on its head, even in the absence of spectators.
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Calm Before Storm
Hardik began cautiously, rotating strike and finding gaps to steady the innings. With wickets falling around him, he built key partnerships with the lower order, ensuring Baroda stayed in the contest and slowly climbed out of trouble.
Over That Changed Game
The turning point arrived in the 39th over when Hardik dismantled spinner Parth Rekhade. Five massive sixes followed by a four saw him collect 34 runs in the over, racing from 66 to a stunning century off just 68 balls and leaving Vidarbha stunned.
6⃣,6⃣,6⃣,6⃣,6⃣,4⃣ 🔥
A maiden List A 💯 brought up in some style 🔥
Hardik Pandya was on 66 off 62 balls against Vidarbha...and then he went berserk in the 39th over to complete his 100, smashing five sixes and a four 💪
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/MFFOqaBuhP#VijayHazareTrophy… pic.twitter.com/pQwvwnI7lb
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 3, 2026
A Lone Warrior
Hardik eventually finished with a commanding 133 off 92 balls, smashing 11 sixes and eight fours at a strike rate above 144. No other Baroda batter crossed 30, with Vishnu Solanki’s quick 26 being the only notable support.
Bowlers Left Helpless
Vidarbha’s bowlers searched for answers, but Hardik’s power and timing proved too strong. Yash Thakur picked up four wickets, yet it was Pandya’s knock that defined the match and lit up the Vijay Hazare Trophy stage.
T20I Series Brilliance
Hardik’s golden run continued in the final T20 against South Africa. His explosive 63 off just 25 balls powered India to a massive 231, helping the team clinch the series in emphatic fashion.
Historic All-Round Milestone
Alongside his batting fireworks, Hardik reached a major personal landmark by completing 100 wickets in T20 internationals. He became only the third Indian after Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh to achieve the feat, underlining his value as a genuine match-winner.
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