Hardik Pandya Century PtiImage Credit source: PTI

Hardik Pandya is one of the 2-3 players on whom Team India will have the most responsibility for the T20 World Cup 2026. Just about a month before the World Cup, Hardik Pandya has shown that he is ready for the tournament and is in excellent form. The star all-rounder showed a glimpse of this in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Playing for Baroda, Hardik Pandya scored an explosive century in just 68 balls. Star all-rounder Pandya, who came to bat at number 7 for the team in trouble, single-handedly changed the course of the innings and saved the team.

Hardik Pandya wreaked havoc in the elite group match of Vijay Hazare Trophy on Saturday 3rd January at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. In this match against Vidarbha, Baroda was batting first. But the team had lost only 5 wickets till 71 runs, when Hardik came to bat at number 7. He along with the team captain and his elder brother Krunal Pandya managed the team for some time and there was a partnership of 65 runs between the two. But after Krunal's dismissal, Hardik himself took charge.

Hardik started taking news about Vidarbha bowlers from here and started talking about fours and sixes. But his most dangerous form was seen in the 39th over of the innings. By this time he had scored 66 runs in 62 balls. But in the 39th over, he targeted Vidarbha bowler PR Rekhade and looted 34 runs. In this over, Hardik blew everyone away by hitting 5 consecutive sixes. Then Hardik Pandya also completed his century by hitting a four on the last ball of the over. The surprising thing is that Hardik has scored a century for the first time in his List-A (ODI) career.

Even after completing his century in just 68 balls, Hardik did not stop and continued the attack with his bat. Ultimately, Hardik was out only after taking the team beyond 250 runs. Hardik, who was out in the 46th over, played an astonishing inning of 133 runs in just 92 balls and made the biggest score of his career. His innings included 11 sixes and 8 fours. Earlier, Hardik's highest score in List A was 92 not out. Thanks to this century innings, Baroda scored a strong score of more than 270 runs.