Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya proved to be the difference-maker in the first ODI against Australia at Chennai. The hosts steamrolled the Steve Smith-led side by 26 runs to win the first ODI and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Pandya came in to bat when Virat Kohli’s side were tottering at 87/5 and played an aggressive innings of 83 off 66 deliveries to help India reach 281/7 in the 50 overs. In the process, the Gujarat cricketer smashed leg-spinner Adam Zampa for three consecutive sixes.
The cricketer also took the crucial wickets of Steve Smith and Travis Head to guide India to a convincing win. He was awarded the man-of-the-match award for his complete performance.
Indian fans took to Twitter to hail the Mumbai Indians cricketer.
Hardik Pandya, Man of the Match
Batting: 83 Runs Off 66 BallsBowling: 4-0-28-2What A Match Winner.#INDvAUS #INDvsAUS #Dhoni MS Dhoni pic.twitter.com/rUxgON6RxW— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) September 17, 2017
Power of @hardikpandya7 Geez!!
💪💪#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/ynm3Pa9acx— Rahul Sharma 🏏 (@CricFreakRD) September 17, 2017
Congratulations to #TeamIndia🇮🇳
India beat Australia by 26 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series,Stand-out innings by @hardikpandya7 & #MSD pic.twitter.com/YWLZSSoiUB— Sachin Mer 🇮🇳 (@sachinmer) September 17, 2017
Proudly Presenting You The Man Of The Match @hardikpandya7
Brilliant All-Round Performance with Bat nd Ball ..#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/pofpkwZNFH— Akash Patel (@akash_0912) September 17, 2017