Hardik Pandya achieves T20I milestone with stellar all-round display against England

With India’s comprehensive win against England at Ageas Bowl, Hardik Pandya sets a new record for being the first Indian to score a half-century and take four wickets in T20 Internationals. On the back of his performance, India comfortably beat the Three Lions by 50 runs and took the lead in the 3-match series.  

After electing to bat first, the visitors scored 198 from their full quota of 20 overs. Rohit Sharma (24 of 14) and Deepak Hooda (33 of 17) gave India a blistering start, scoring more than 10 per over. Then Suryakumar Yadav (39 of 19) and Hardik Pandya (51 of 33) took over the reins and kept going in top gear. 

On the other hand, England had a shocking start, losing their captain in the first over itself. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1 for 10) and Arshdeep Singh (2 for 18) managed to tie down the opposition during the powerplay. Hardik also joined the party by taking wickets of Dawid Malan, Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone in his first spell. 

Hardik bowled quick and short of good length deliveries on a pitch that suited his bowling style, troubling most batters. He then managed to get the wicket of all-rounder Sam Curran in the 14th over. He ended the game with figures of 4 for 33 from his four overs.  

With this incredible performance, he became only the 5th player to score a 50 and get four wickets in T20I and the only player to do so in nearly a decade. 

The other elite all-rounders who have achieved this milestone are Dwyane Bravo, Mohammed Hafeez, Shane Watson and Samiullah Shinwari.

With Hardik Pandya fit and contributing with the ball, team India will have high confidence for the rest of the series and the World Cup ahead.