Mumbai Indians allrounder Hardik Pandya became the second player after Yuvraj Singh to score a 50 and pick a three-wicket haul in a losing effort in the Indian Premier League.
The 24-year-old Pandya, who ended the match as the top-scoring batsman from both sides, also became only the second batsman in tournament’s history to bag a fifty and 3-wicket-haul in the same match after Yuvraj Singh.
The same has happened four times in the league in total – including RCB vs MI match on Tuesday – with Yuvraj claiming the elusive feat on three of the previous occasions. Here are the details:
- Yuvraj Singh: 50 & 3/22 against RCB in 2009
- Yuvraj Singh: 66*& 4/29 against DD in 2011
- Yuvraj Singh: 83 & 4/35 against RR in 2014
- Hardik Pandya: 50 & 3/28 against RCB in 2018
In a dream over during the first half of the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians at the Chinnaswamy on Tuesday, Pandya picked up three important wickets – Mandeep Singh, Virat Kohli, and young Washington Sundar in a single over and gave away just two runs. Courtesy his good work, MI were able to restrict RCB to 167/7 in 20 overs. Later on with the bat, once again it was Pandya who top-scored for MI with a quickfire 42-ball 50 to take the game down to the wire before Tim Southee bowled a brilliant final over to take RCB over the finishing line.
Pandya’s three wickets also took him to the top of the list among bowlers with most wickets in IPL 11, thereby securing the purple cap. However, Pandya’s night began on a sour note as he gave away 20 runs in his first over. At that stage, he was looking completely out of sorts with his wayward line and length. However, the right-arm seamer made a brilliant comeback giving crucial breakthroughs to bring back his team into the match.
Chasing 168 to win the contest, MI were tottering at 84/5 when Pandya walked in to ensure that no further damage was done and forged a 56-run stand with brother Krunal Pandya. His half-century which featured five fours and one six was vital in MI’s chase. But he was eventually dismissed by Tim Southee. Apart from this, Hardik also effected a run-out of Brendon McCullum with a brilliant direct hit while fielding at mid-off. But all his endeavours went in vain as MI succumb to a bitter defeat.
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