The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 witnessed a thrilling clash between Baroda and Tamil Nadu, where both teams posted over 200 runs, making it a high-scoring affair. The match, which was decided on the very last ball, showcased a sensational knock from Baroda’s Hardik Pandya, who played a pivotal role in his team’s victory.
A Stellar Knock by Hardik Pandya
In a match where every run mattered, Pandya’s explosive innings stole the show. The Baroda team won the toss and opted to bowl first, allowing Tamil Nadu to post a daunting total of 221/6 in 20 overs. In response, Baroda needed 222 runs to win, and it was Pandya’s stormy 69 off 30 balls that made all the difference. With an impressive strike rate of 230, Pandya’s innings featured 4 fours and 7 sixes, helping Baroda chase down the target on the final ball of the match.
Pandya’s Rampage Against Gurjapneet Singh
One of the standout moments in Pandya’s innings came during the 17th over of Baroda’s chase, when he faced Chennai’s new fast bowler, Gurjapneet Singh. The tall left-arm seamer, who was bought by the Chennai Super Kings for a whopping Rs 2.20 crore in the IPL auction, had no answer to Pandya’s ferocious hitting. Pandya hit 3 consecutive sixes off the first 3 balls of the over, followed by a no-ball from Gurjapneet. Pandya took full advantage, smacking another six off the free-hit ball and a four off the fifth ball, before collecting a single off the last ball. In total, Pandya scored 29 runs from the over, with the no-ball adding one more, bringing the total to 30 runs off that over alone.
Gurjapneet Singh’s IPL Journey
Gurjapneet Singh, who recently made waves in the IPL auction, was drafted into the Chennai Super Kings team after a fierce bidding war, with Lucknow Supergiants and Gujarat Titans also showing interest. The 26-year-old seamer from Tamil Nadu, standing tall at 6 feet 3 inches, had a base price of Rs 30 lakh, but CSK secured him for Rs 2.20 crore, recognizing his potential for the upcoming IPL season.
The Nail-Biting Finish
Despite Pandya’s heroics, the match remained close until the very end. Baroda’s chase was kept on track with a four off the final ball, sealing the win in dramatic fashion. This victory not only highlighted Pandya’s explosive batting skills but also demonstrated Baroda’s resilience in chasing down a challenging target.
With the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy providing such high-octane action, Hardik Pandya’s performance is sure to add to his growing reputation as one of the most dangerous all-rounders in domestic cricket. As the tournament progresses, fans will be keeping a close eye on more thrilling performances like this from Pandya and the other rising stars of Indian cricket.
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