Pandya’s match-winning fifty in Pune helps India secure a series victory against England.
Pune, February 1 – Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya etched his name in the record books by surpassing Shikhar Dhawan to become India’s fifth-highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals (T20Is). He achieved this milestone during the fourth T20I against England at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Friday.
Hardik Pandya’s Record-Breaking Knock
Pandya played a crucial innings, scoring 53 runs off 34 balls, which included seven fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of over 155. His innings rescued India from 79/5, helping them post a competitive 181/9.
With this knock, Pandya’s T20I tally now stands at 1,803 runs in 113 matches and 89 innings, at an average of 28.17 and a strike rate of 141.63, including five half-centuries with a highest score of 71 not out*.
In comparison, Shikhar Dhawan scored 1,759 runs in 68 matches, at an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of 126.36, with 11 half-centuries and a best score of 92.
India’s Leading T20I Run-Scorers:
1️⃣ Rohit Sharma – 4,231 runs (159 matches, Avg: 32.05, SR: 140.89, 5 centuries, 32 fifties)
2️⃣ Virat Kohli – 4,188 runs (125 matches, Avg: 48.69, SR: 137.96, 1 century, 38 fifties)
3️⃣ Suryakumar Yadav – 2,596 runs (82 matches, Avg: 38.74, SR: 171.54, 4 centuries, 21 fifties)
4️⃣ KL Rahul – 2,265 runs (72 matches, Avg: 37.75, SR: 139.12, 2 centuries, 22 fifties)
5️⃣ Hardik Pandya – 1,803 runs (113 matches, Avg: 28.17, SR: 141.63, 5 fifties)
Match Recap: India Secures Series with 15-Run Win
After winning the toss, England chose to bowl first and made an explosive start, reducing India to 12/3 as Saqib Mahmood (3/35) dismissed Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav in a single over.
India’s recovery was led by:
✅ Abhishek Sharma (29 off 19) and Rinku Singh (30 off 26), who added a 45-run partnership.
✅ Hardik Pandya (53 off 34) and Shivam Dube (53 off 30), who rescued India from 79/5, building a crucial 87-run stand.
England’s Jamie Overton (4/32) and Adil Rashid (1/35) put in solid bowling efforts, but India still managed to post 181/9.
England Falls Short Despite Harry Brook’s Heroics
In response, England started well, with:
🔹 Philip Salt (23 off 21) and Ben Duckett (39 off 19) putting up 62 runs for the first wicket.
🔹 Harry Brook (51 off 26) leading England’s chase with a quickfire half-century.
However, India’s spinners changed the game, as:
🌀 Ravi Bishnoi (3/28) and Harshit Rana (3/33) struck crucial blows.
🌀 Varun Chakravarthy (2/29) and Axar Patel (1/26) kept the pressure on.
Despite *late efforts from Jamie Overton (19) and Adil Rashid (10)**, England was bowled out for 166, giving India a 15-run victory.
Shivam Dube was named ‘Player of the Match’.
With this win, India clinched the five-match T20I series 3-1, with the final game set to be played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on February 2.