World Cup 2019: Hardik Pandya posts celebratory tweet after India march ahead unbeaten against Windies

For 25-year-old all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, playing the ICC World Cup 2019 was extra special. He had a roller-coaster ride in the run-up to the World Cup with injuries and on-air controversies. But the Baroda cricketer overcame all odds to eventually represent India in his maiden World Cup and so far, he has played his part quite well with ample confidence. Be it belting Australia at No.4 or picking crucial wickets against Pakistan and Afghanistan, Hardik has done everything right so far.

Hardik played a crucial role in India’s win

On Thursday, too, he played a significant role in India drubbing Caribbeans by 125-run in their league game at Old Trafford in Manchester. Winning the toss, India skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and he led from the front with 72 to help his team stem the initial rot. However, just when India looked to be in a spot of bother with Kohli’s dismissal and were 180 for 5 with the veteran MS Dhoni not in a fluent form, Hardik played a key role.

He boosted the Indian innings to put up a modest total with a 38-ball 46 that also helped Dhoni to leave back the bad form woes. In 10 overs, the duo added 70 runs to take the Indian score to a competitive 250 when Hardik returned to hut. India eventually ended up with 268 for 7 in 50 overs.

Not only with the bat, but the Men in Blue also stood out after the breather. They pegged the West Indies back from the very first ball and wiped them off for 143 to register a tumultuous 125-run victory. Mohammed Shami took 4 for 16 in his 6.2-over spells and Jasprit Bumrah 2 for 9 in 6 overs while Hardik, bowling as the third seamer, took the wicket of the top-scorer of the West Indies innings, Sunil Ambris. His celebratory gesture at Ambris after trapping him leg before has also grabbed eyes.

Hardik later tweeted to celebrate India’s victory saying “We keep going” followed by the Tricolour and a pair of clapping hands. The tweet was accompanied by a picture of Dhoni making a shooting gesture towards Hardik and also the all-rounder’s celebration after getting rid of Ambris.

India went up to the second spot in the points table after the thumping win as they pipped New Zealand in terms of Net Run-Rate although both teams have 11 points at the moment.