Both shots were identical for numerous reasons; both had supreme timing, and the power came from a strong base of both batters.
Hardik Pandya played a similar shot during the third T20I against Bangladesh to the one Virat Kohli played off Corey Anderson in IPL 2017. Both shots had amazing power, and while it didn’t look initially, both travelled over the ropes for maximums.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib attempted a yorker but ended up bowling full and into the slot, and Hardik went deep in his crease and whipped it over the deep extra cover for a maximum. He didn’t really try overhitting it; Hardik just guided the ball in its direction, but the amount of power he held took the ball sailing.
Similarly, Corey Anderson bowled a slot delivery, and Kohli stepped ahead and used his wrists to guide it over the covers region. Even though he didn’t use any significant power in his shot, the timing was impeccable, and the contact from the willow was as sweet as it could get.
Both shots were identical for numerous reasons; both had supreme timing, and the power came from a strong base of both batters. The striking was as clean as possible, and like Kohli’s shot, Hardik’s will also be remembered for a long time.
While India had several positives to take from the T20I series, Hardik Pandya’s all-round show probably stood apart. He was the second-leading run-scorer in the rubber, accumulating 118 runs at an average of 59 and a strike rate of 222.64.
His scores in the three games read: 39* (16), 32 (19), and 47 (18), scoring all the impactful runs while coming in different positions in every game. More than these scores, his range hitting, especially against pace, was more noticeable, for Hardik played some outrageous shots throughout the series.
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Further, he also took a solitary wicket while conceding only 8.28 runs per over in seven sets in the series. His bowling was more impressive than the only wicket he had to show, for he executed his plans consistently.
He has been in fine rhythm since the T20 World Cup 2024 and has continued his good work in this home series. His all-round performances earned him the Player of the Series award.
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