5 clutch performances by Hardik Pandya in Team India colors
What's the story
As India's cricket team gears up for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, Hardik Pandya's fitness remains a major concern. The all-rounder is an asset to the team with his unique skills in batting and bowling. Owing to the same, India have been struggling to identify a back-up for him. Speaking of Pandya's impact, let's look at five of his clutch performances in India colors.
#1
83 vs Australia in 2017
In the 2017 ODI series against Australia, Pandya scored a match-winning 83 runs off just 66 balls in the first ODI at Chennai.
His innings came when India was struggling at 87/5 and included five fours and as many sixes.
Pandya's brilliance powered the hosts to a total of 281/7.
He also took two wickets in that match, earning him the Player of the Match award.
#2
87 vs Pakistan in 2023
Pandya produced another sensational effort in the high-voltage 2023 ODI Asia Cup match against Pakistan in Pallekele.
Coming in at a precarious situation with India at 66/4, he formed a crucial partnership with Ishan Kishan (82) and the duo stitched a 138-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Pandya ended up scoring 87 off 90 balls, a knock studded with seven boundaries and a six.
This game was called off due to rain.
#3
All-round show versus England in 2022
Pandya was at his all-round best in the 2022 Manchester ODI against England.
The pacer first registered his career best bowling figures of 7-3-24-4 to restrict England to 259/10.
Batting at six, he then scored 71 off just 55 balls with the help of 10 fours to pull India out of danger and put them on the doorstep of a five-wicket win.
Notably, India were struggling at 72/4 when Pandya arrived in the middle.
#4
42* vs Australia in 2020
Pandya scored a 22-ball 42* against the odds in the 2020 Sydney T20I against Australia.
Chasing a challenging target of 195, India were reduced to 149/4 when a well-set Virat Kohli departed for 40.
This left the equation at 46 runs required off 23 balls.
Pandya stepped up in the death overs and finished the game with two maximums in the final over.
He also hit three fours during his stay.
#5
16-ball fifty versus South Africa in 2025
Pandya recorded a 16-ball fifty versus South Africa in the Ahmedabad T20I last year.
He walked in when India were 115/3 in the 13th over.
Pandya showed his intent from the start and forged a solid partnership alongside Tilak Varma as India finished at 232/5.
The dasher was on song from the beginning, having dispatched Corbin Bosch for a six off the 1st ball in his innings.
Pandya ended up scoring a 25-ball 63. He smashed 5 fours and 5 sixes in India's 30-run win.
The all-rounder also dismissed the dashing Dewald Brevis in the game.