Hardik Pandya played a pivotal role with the bat against England in the semi-final of the 20-20 World Cup 2022. He partnered along with Virat Kohli to get to a good total in the first innings. Each scored a half-century in the match to help India reach a score of 168 runs in the first innings.
The all-rounder, however, played the aggressor in the match and ended with a score of 63 runs in 33 balls. He hit four boundaries and five sixes in the innings. The spectacular innings came to a bizarre end on the last ball of the first innings.
Chris Jordan bowled a length ball, and Pandya slapped it four on the leg side. However, his front foot made contact with the stumps, causing the bails to fall off. To make matters worse, the ball went for a four, but it did not count. India could have ended with a score of 172 runs in the first innings.
Here is Hardik Pandya’s dismissal
The saddest moment ! ?? #INDvsENG #T20WorldCup??? #HardikPandya #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/7gMianRrGQ
— Manoj Singh Banjara (@ManojNayakUPCC) November 10, 2022
As for the rest of the innings, Kohli scored 50 runs in 40 balls, with four fours and a six, to stabilize the innings for India. The rest of the Indian batting lineup could not do much as they were very slow in approach. Captain Rohit Sharma’s woes in the tournament continued as he struggled throughout his innings of 27 runs in 28 balls.
KL Rahul, who recently regained his form, was not able to do much either. He scored five runs in the five balls that he faced. Even Suryakumar Yadav, who has been in sublime form, failed to do much. He scored 14 runs in 10 balls in his short stay at the crease.
England, on the other hand, got off to an aggressive start with Jos Buttler and Alex Hales exploding right from the start. The two played attacking cricket throughout the innings to put their team in the driver’s seat. Both teams will be eyeing to win and qualify to play against Pakistan in the finals.
