Hardik Pandya’s half-century for Mumbai Indians goes in vain vs RCB

Hardik Pandya began the game on a wrong footing, going for 20 runs in his first over, but then made up for that in style by scoring a fighting half-century for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad in an IPL 2018. In between, he ran out Brendon McCullum off a direct throw from mid-off, thus scuttling RCB’s chances of getting to a big total. (RCB vs MI, IPL 2018 - Highlights)

However, ultimately Pandya’s 42-ball 50 was not enough as MI lost the match by 14 runs. (Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2018, full cricket score) Pandya had bowled full tosses in the very first over, including a no-ball, leaking 13 runs off just one legal delivery. It was a break that a struggling rCB batting line-up was looking for. But then he worked himself back in, first with a run out and then a watchful half-century, his sixth in T20 cricket, that brought his side to the cusp of victory.

He had walked into bat when MI were struggling at 47/4 with backs to the wall. His stay was a struggle so long as Yuzvendra Chahal was bowling. He was clueless. However, he somehow managed to take single and pass on the strike. The moment he sensed opportunities, like against Washington Sundar, he opened his arms, hammering him for a six and a four. Or guiding the ball to fence when De Grandhomme strayed down the leg-side. This proved to be a very mature knock, scored of 41 deliveries, not the slam bang type one associates with the all-rounder.