Winning the toss, England got off to the perfect start with Sanju Samson, Tilak Verma, and Suryakumar Yadav all departing in a three wicket second over maiden by Saqib Mahmood. Abhishek Sharma (29) and Rinku Singh (30) added some useful runs to the tally but India found themselves staring down the barrel with 79 runs on the board and half their lineup back in the hut.
The incoming Pandya took some time to get settled scoring just two runs off his first six balls. However, he decided to take on Brydon Carse in the 13th over with back to back boundaries. Pandya followed it up with two sixes off a Mahmood over before smashing Jofra Archer for a six and four on consecutive deliveries.
On the first ball of the 18th over, Pandya finally decided to unleash his very best. With the swagger that he carries so well, the Indian all rounder saw a full delivery coming his way and decided to channel his inner self. He cleared his front leg and smoked it over long on to bring up his half century in just 27 balls. What was impressive was his reaction where he looked away as soon as he made contact with the ball.
The Twitterati were quick to change their tune about the younger Pandya brother and praised his effort on social media.
What a shot that is!! WOWWW!
— jithesh (@jithesh1569353) January 31, 2025
Great shot!!
Great shots he got!!!
Just punched it for six, did Hardik, holding his shape! 50 for Hardik Pandya for the 5th time in T20Is in just 27 balls.
The Kutch Man of world Cricket 🔥#INDvsENG | #HardikPandyapic.twitter.com/PNU3BkaLUl— CricVipez (@CricVipezAP) January 31, 2025
‘kung fu Pandya stunning half century with Upper cut and straight six 🔥🙌🏻’ #INDvsENG #Hardik #ShivamDube
📸 : Disney + Hotstar pic.twitter.com/SfX2aQnAeb— Suriya (@suriya_vijay123) January 31, 2025
Boom!
Crazy!
🔥 Hardik Pandya’s Blazing Fifty! 💥
✅ 50 in just 27 balls – a sensational recovery!
✅ Brings up the milestone with a no-look lofted six 🎯
✅ Dube & Pandya on fire as India push for a big total.#INDvENG #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/73xxXPd8sR— Yogesh Goswami (@yogeshgoswami_) January 31, 2025
‘ Kung fu Pandya 🔥 Terrific Six’s’
On to the 40’s 🙌🏻#Hardik #INDvsENG
📸 : Disney + Hotstar pic.twitter.com/E42ESMwGaB— Suriya (@suriya_vijay123) January 31, 2025
Mad stuff from Pandya!
Shot of the day by Pandya 🔥🔥.
A pull for six to Saqib over mid-wicket.
What a clutch player he is .. incredible. 🏏#INDvsENG #Hardik— Rana Husnain Aleem (@husnain19X) January 31, 2025
Yupe!
‘kung fu Pandya stunning half century with Upper cut and straight six 🔥🙌🏻’ #INDvsENG #Hardik #ShivamDube
📸 : Disney + Hotstar pic.twitter.com/SfX2aQnAeb— Suriya (@suriya_vijay123) January 31, 2025
Ohew! he’s something else!
‘ Kung fu Pandya 🔥 Terrific Six’s’
On to the 40’s 🙌🏻#Hardik #INDvsENG
📸 : Disney + Hotstar pic.twitter.com/E42ESMwGaB— Suriya (@suriya_vijay123) January 31, 2025
