New Delhi: Hardik Pandya has been in some form in the T20 World Cup 2024 as he continues to contribute with both bat and ball, reflecting on what a true all-rounder is. He has firmly shut out all his critics who were after him during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. In the Indian colours, he is turning the tables with brilliant performances and had his part to play in crucial India vs Australia Super 8 clash as well.
Pandya picked up a stunning catch to send Marcus Stoinis packing off Axar Patel’s delivery, adding the excellence of the third department i.e. fielding, on his hat as well. The match was played on Monday at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia where Australia invited India to bat first and Pandya delivered with a final push, scoring 27 off 17 with a four and two sixes to take India to 205/5 in 20 overs.
Australia were cruising towards the target on the back of their opener Travis Head who at first gave scares to India. It is well known what Head is capable of against India in the ICC events, which is a different story altogether. Nonetheless, he saw wickets felling at regular intervals until Marcus Stoinis (2 off 4) came in for his support.
In the 15th over, Axar Patel bowled a flat first delivery on the off side and Stoinis tried going for a reverse sweep. He managed to hit it powerfully but found Pandya right at the backward point. The ball arrived too quick but the Indian vice-captain didn’t make any mistakes. The ball at first bobbed out but he managed to hold on to it in what was a wicket manufactured in the Indian state of Gujarat.
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India beat Australia to become semifinal bound
Ultimately, the Kangaroos couldn’t complete the 206-run chase as they fell short by 24 runs and it was indeed the wicket of Head that paid dividends for India. The southpaw scored 76 off just 43 deliveries and was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah with the help of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. Mitchell Marsh scored 37 while Glenn Maxwell contributed with 20 runs as Arshdeep Singh picked up three wickets followed by Kuldeep Yadav’s two scalps.
India restricted the mighty Australians to 181/7 in 20 overs to head into the semi-final stage of the marquee event and locked a clash with England to be played in Guyana on Thursday. With the win, three teams (AUS, BAN, AFG) are still left in contention for the final semi-final spot and it all relies upon the Bangladesh vs Afghanistan final Super 8 clash on Monday.
Hardik Pandya grabbed a brilliant catch to dismiss Marcus Stoinis in the India vs Australia Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2024 that was held in St. Lucia on Monday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
