Rajkot, 3 January: Ahead of the Indian team’s selection for the ODI series against New Zealand, Hardik Pandya delivered a stormy century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Playing for Baroda against Vidarbha at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Khanderi, Rajkot, Hardik completed his century with five consecutive sixes followed by a four.
Hardik began his innings cautiously, reaching his half-century in 44 balls. After that, his scoring rate accelerated sharply. In the 39th over, Hardik unleashed a batting storm. Facing left-arm spinner Parth Rekhade, Hardik hit five sixes off the first five balls and then a four on the last ball of the over to complete his century.
By then, he had scored 66 runs off 62 balls, and he reached his hundred within the next six deliveries. Hardik was eventually dismissed after scoring 133 runs in 92 balls, including 11 sixes and 8 fours. Thanks to his powerful innings, Baroda, batting first after losing the toss, posted a total of 293 runs for 9 wickets.
Other than Hardik, no other Baroda batsman made a significant contribution. Vishnu Solanki scored 26, captain Krunal Pandya added 23, and Atit Seth contributed 21 runs.
From Vidarbha’s bowling side, Yash Thakur was the most successful, taking 4 wickets for 64 runs in 10 overs, including Hardik’s wicket. Nachiket Bhute and Parth Rekhade took 2 wickets each. Parth Rekhade conceded 80 runs in his 10 overs, heavily impacted by Hardik’s aggressive batting. Praful Hinge claimed one wicket.
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