Bhubaneswar: India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya set tongues wagging during Tuesday’s practice session in Nagpur when he launched a colossal six into the second tier of the stands at the VCA Stadium, drawing laughter and admiration from teammates and support staff alike.
The moment unfolded amid light-hearted banter with head coach Gautam Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. After Gambhir jokingly asked Pandya—in Hindi—where he was aiming, the all-rounder casually replied, “First tier.” Seconds later, the ball sailed well beyond that mark, prompting an animated reaction from Suryakumar, who exclaimed in disbelief, “He hit it to the second tier?!”
The shot underlined Pandya’s explosive touch ahead of India’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which begins on Wednesday in Nagpur. Pandya has been in imposing form in recent T20 outings, striking at over 180, and the effortless power on display during the nets has only heightened expectations.
With India fine-tuning preparations and the mood in camp visibly upbeat, Pandya’s towering hit served as both a morale booster and a warning to the opposition—India’s big-hitting all-rounder appears primed for another impactful series.
-OdishaAge
