Hardik Pandya smashes five sixes and a four in an over in Vijay Hazare Trophy maiden century

Advertisement

All-rounder Hardik Pandya produced a sensational knock to register his maiden List A century during the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, turning the game on its head for Baroda against Vidarbha at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Saturday.

Baroda were in deep trouble at 71 for 20 overs when Pandya walked in. Showing composure under pressure, he rebuilt the innings with calculated strokeplay and brought up his half-century off just 44 balls, gradually shifting the momentum.

Pandya’s defining moment came in the 39th over, smashing a stunning sequence of five sixes and a four to collect 34 runs from the over off Vidarbha spinner Parth Rekhade. The performance propelled him from 66 to his three-figure mark in just 68 balls.

He eventually finished with a commanding 133 off 92 balls, including 11 sixes and eight fours, powering Baroda to a competitive 293 for 50 overs. Notably, no other Baroda batter crossed the 30-run mark, underlining the significance of Pandya’s innings.

Hardik Pandya after 38th over – 66* (62).

Then happened 39th over – 6,6,6,6,6,4.

Hardik Pandya completed hundred from just 68 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. pic.x.com/X66eGDsw3k

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 3, 2026

For Vidarbha, Yash Thakur was the standout bowler with four wickets, while Nachiket Bhute and Parth Rekhade chipped in with two wickets each.

Overall, Pandya has now featured in 119 List A matches, including 94 ODIs for India, eight games for India A, and 17 for Baroda. He has amassed 2,300 runs in the format and claimed 110 wickets. Pandya has been in red-hot form recently. He struck a blistering 142 off 76 balls during the fifth T20I against South Africa in December, following a three-month injury layoff while recovering from a left quadriceps issue.

With the BCCI set to announce the squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, Pandya’s recent performances have strengthened his case for selection.