Hardik Pandya has delivered several match-defining performances in the Asia Cup, including a 31-run blitz against Bangladesh (2016), a calm 33-run finish against Pakistan (2022), and a resilient 87-run rescue against Pakistan (2023). His fearless batting and ability to perform under pressure have made him a key middle-order match-winner for India.
3) 31 vs Bangladesh (T20I, 2016)
On February 24, 2016, in Mirpur, Hardik Pandya played a game-changing cameo in India’s Asia Cup T20 opener against Bangladesh. Coming in at 97/4 in the 15th over, with Rohit Sharma well set but wickets tumbling, Pandya was promoted to No. 6 ahead of MS Dhoni. He smashed 31 off just 18 balls at a strike rate of 172.22, including four boundaries and a six.
His fearless stroke-play, hitting five boundaries in his first 11 balls, perfectly complemented Rohit’s late acceleration. The duo added 61 runs in 27 balls, transforming India’s total into 166/6. With Pandya, Nehra, Bumrah, and Ashwin striking with the ball, India secured a convincing 45-run win.
2) 33 vs Pakistan (T20I, 2022)
With 21 needed off the last two overs, Pandya hammered three boundaries off Naseem Shah. In the final over, bowled by Mohammad Nawaz, he remained calm under pressure, hitting the winning six over long-on with two balls to spare. Pandya finished unbeaten on 33 off 17 balls at a strike rate of 194.11.
1) 87 vs Pakistan (ODI, 2023)
On September 2, 2023, at Pallekele, Pandya played a classy rescue innings against Pakistan before rain interrupted the match. Coming in at 66/4 after Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf tore through India’s top order, Pandya and Ishan Kishan staged a 138-run fifth-wicket stand.
Mixing composure with calculated aggression, Pandya scored his first 30 runs at a run-a-ball before accelerating, adding 31 off his last 20 deliveries. He finished with 87 off 90 balls, including 7 fours and a six, narrowly missing a century. His innings helped India reach 266 and highlighted his reliability in the middle order, even without bowling.
