Hardik Pandya's 66-100 in Six Balls: A Vijay Hazare Trophy Explosion

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Hardik Pandya Makes a Strong Comeback in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Hardik Pandya made a stunning return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy with a remarkable century for Baroda against Vidarbha on Saturday at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Khandheri, Rajkot. The 32-year-old all-rounder showcased his explosive batting skills by scoring an impressive 133 runs off just 92 balls, including 8 fours and 11 sixes. His performance was instrumental in helping Baroda post a formidable total of 293/9 in the allotted fifty overs.

Pandya's innings began cautiously, as he was batting on 66 off 62 balls. However, in the next 30 deliveries, he shifted into "beast mode," scoring 67 runs. This aggressive display came against Parth Rekhade, who bowled the 39th over. Before the over started, Pandya was on 66, but within four minutes, he reached his century, scoring 34 runs off the next six deliveries.

Despite reaching his century, Pandya continued to target Rekhade, hitting regular boundaries. He was eventually dismissed by Yash Thakur in the 46th over, but by then, he had already done his job for Baroda.

A Lone Effort for Baroda

Throughout the innings, Pandya was the only batter who could consistently score runs for Baroda. No other player managed to cross the 30-run mark, with the next best score being 26 by No.8 batter Vishnu Solanki. This highlights how crucial Pandya's performance was in setting up a competitive total for his team.

For Vidarbha, Yash Thakur was the standout bowler, taking four wickets while conceding 64 runs. His efforts were crucial in keeping Baroda's score in check, but it wasn't enough to prevent the all-rounder from making history.

Recent Form and Future Plans

Hardik has been in exceptional form recently, particularly in the T20I series against South Africa, where he scored two half-centuries. His performances caught the attention of Proteas coach Shukri Conrad, who praised him as the key difference between the two teams.

This series marked Hardik's return to competitive cricket after an injury sustained during the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka. Since then, he has been in fine form, not only with the bat but also with the ball. He became just the third Indian bowler to take 100 T20I wickets, further cementing his status as one of the most versatile players in the game.

Looking Ahead: T20 World Cup Focus

Despite his recent success, Hardik is likely to be rested for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11. The selectors are prioritizing the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. India aims to defend its title on home soil, and the tournament will be a crucial test for the team's T20 format strategy.

With his recent performances, Hardik is expected to play a vital role in the T20 World Cup, where his all-round abilities will be put to the test once again. Fans are eagerly awaiting his contributions as the team prepares for what promises to be a highly competitive tournament.