After 11 Long Years! Hardik Pandya hits a phenomenal maiden century in List A
Team India’s star all rounder Hardik Pandya is playing for the first time for team Vadodara in this season of Vijay Hazare Trophy. Hardik hit’s 5 continuous sixes, in his first match saving his team from collapse .
With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled to begin in 7 February 2026, India will rely heavily on power hitter all-rounders, like Hardik Pandya who stands out as one of the most destructive hitters in world cricket. His recent performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy clearly shows that he is regaining peak form at the right time.
Hardik Pandya played a power-packed innings for Baroda in the Elite Group match against Vidarbha at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot. Hardik walked in at number 7, when Baroda has, lost five wickets for just 71 runs. The situation demands responsible play, not reckless hitting and then Hardik Pandya did both he absorbed the pressure and played a calm composed innings in start which helps in stabilize the score board.
Along with team captain and elder brother and team mate Krunal Pandya, Hardik stabilized the innings with a crucial 65-run partnership, which changed the momentum of the match towards Baroda. After Krunal’s dismissal, Hardik took complete control of the innings and began attacking the bowlers with full authority, he come in his full form for which he had known “The hitting Pandya”.
At that stage, Hardik was on 62 runs off 62 balls, but at that time he is defending, absorbing the pressure and making score board run.
In 39th over Hardik Pandya smashed five consecutive sixes, scoring 34 runs in just one over, and completed his century with a boundary on the final delivery. This over will be remembered as one of the most explosive moments in Hardik’s List-A cricket career.
Even after reaching his hundred, Hardik did not slow down. He continued his dominance and eventually got dismissed in the 46th over, scoring a fabulous innings of 133 runs off 92 balls with a average of 144.57. His innings included 11 sixes and 8 fours, the highest in his entire List-A career, underlining his unmatched hitting ability.
With the help of Hardik Pandya’s century, Baroda boarded a competitive total of 270 runs. The innings helps in giving boost to the dressing room of Baroda.
Charges up for World Cup 2026 – Clutch Hardik Pandya
This give a strong message about his intend on upcoming ICC T20I world cup in February 2026 which is going to take place in India and Sri Lanka. Hardik Pandya has been seen in a phenomenal form since last series against South Africa. Form of him is going to help in strengthen India’s middle order during World Cup 2026 to defend there title.
Fans express there joy on Hardik’s phenomenal form ahead of 2026 World cup calls him ” A crucial aspect for 2026 World Cup”, and some says that ” Hardik is in beast form”.
India’s best spin hitter basher “Hardik Pandya” is back to his prime🔥 pic.twitter.com/nGXh5GLgqR
— Rohan Gangta (@rohangangta) January 3, 2026
🚨 HARDIK PANDYA 133 RUNS FROM JUST 92 BALLS 🚨
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 3, 2026
– Baroda: 71/5
– No batter has scored more than 30 runs
– One man show by Hardik
GREAT NEWS FOR INDIA 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/nZ2McdNkK4
