New Delhi: Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya scripted a historic feat with his 74-run knock for Baroda against Gujarat in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 on Saturday, November 23. Hardik became the first Indian player to achieve the special double of completing 5000 runs and 100 wickets in T20 cricket.
Heading into Baroda’s clash against Gujarat, Hardik needed only 7 runs to complete 5,000 runs in the shortest format of the game. He ended up achieving the milestone comfortably en route to his cracking 74-run knock of just 35 balls. Thanks to his brilliant knock, Baroda chased down the target of 185 runs with three balls to spare to beat Gujarat by 5 wickets in their Group B opener in SMAT 2024.
Hardik came out to bat at no.5 during Baroda’s chase with his team 80/3 in the 10th over. The India all-rounder took control of the proceedings and went on to play a sublime knock of 74 runs to help his team chase down the target comfortably while remaining unbeaten in the middle. Hardik now has 5067 runs in the T20 format.
Hardik Pandya gets to his FIFTY in style 💥💥
Baroda need 11 off 9 deliveries to win!
Follow The Match ▶️ https://t.co/jxHL7n3rjO#SMAT | @IDFCFirstBank | @hardikpandya7 pic.twitter.com/C3wbj0Mx05
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) November 23, 2024
Hardik Pandya 1st Indian to achieve huge milestone
Hardik is the first Indian to achieve the double of 5000 runs and 100-plus wickets in T20s. He has so far played 276 matches in his T20 career and has 5067 runs to his name at an average of 29.80 and a strike rate of over 140. Hardik has also picked up 180 wickets in 276 matches at an economy rate of 8.30. He is the only Indian with more than 5000 runs and more than 100 wickets in T20s.
His India teammate Ravindra Jadeja is second on the elite list with 3684 runs and 225 wickets followed by Axar Patel, who has 2960 runs and 227 wickets in T20s. Out of the 5067 runs, Hardik has scored 1700 runs for India in 109 T20Is with 89 wickets to his name for the Men in Blue.
The star all-rounder is not part of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia and will return for the Men in Blue in their next white-ball assignment next year. Hardik is expected to remain available for Baroda in the entire Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 and will play a key role for his team this season.
Hardik Pandya smashed a quickfire 74 off just 35 balls to help Baroda beat Gujarat in their clash in the Syed Mushatq Ali Trophy 2024 on Saturday, November 23. Hardik became the first Indian to achieve a remarkable milestone enroute to his half-century. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
