Hardik Pandya Shines with a Stellar Century in Vijay Hazare Trophy Match
In a thrilling encounter during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Hardik Pandya delivered a spectacular performance, scoring 133 runs off 93 balls against Vidarbha. His innings included an impressive display of power hitting with 11 sixes and eight fours, leading Baroda to a total of 293 runs. Despite early setbacks, Pandya's aggressive batting not only stabilized the innings but also inspired confidence in his team. This remarkable achievement marks his first List A century, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. Discover more about this exciting match and Pandya's standout performance.
| Jan 3, 2026, 18:08 IST
Hardik Pandya's Remarkable Performance
In a thrilling Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Vidarbha, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya showcased his exceptional batting skills while playing for Baroda. He scored an impressive 133 runs off 93 balls, which included five sixes in a single over. Pandya's innings featured a total of 11 sixes and eight fours, turning the tide against Vidarbha. Earlier, Vidarbha had dominated the game by restricting Baroda to just 71 runs for five wickets and later to 136 runs for six wickets.
In his first match of the tournament, Pandya, batting at number 7, made a powerful start and achieved his maiden List A century in his 119th match. His performance helped Baroda reach a competitive total of 293 runs for nine wickets in 50 overs.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for the talented cricketer, who demonstrated his finishing ability by stabilizing a faltering innings. Despite the pressure, he maintained a high strike rate, exemplifying modern limited-overs batting. In the 39th over, Pandya attacked Vidarbha's spinner Parth Rekhade, scoring 34 runs, including five sixes and one four. The atmosphere on the field was electric as Rekhade struggled to find the right length against Pandya.
The left-arm spinner's first five deliveries were dispatched for sixes, with the final ball resulting in a four. Notably, Pandya's innings included only 31 singles, as he predominantly targeted the midwicket and long-on areas for his sixes. Some of his sixes also sailed over long-off, showcasing his incredible strength and reach. The disparity in scores highlights Pandya's dominance, as the second-best scorer for Baroda, Vishnu Solanki, managed only 26 runs.
This significant score gap illustrates that Pandya's performance was a remarkable individual effort. While his teammates struggled to adapt to the pitch and the disciplined bowling from the opposition, Pandya appeared to be playing on a different surface altogether. By the time he was dismissed, he had not only stabilized the innings but also instilled confidence in the Baroda team that they could secure victory.