'Boos from IPL 2024 to HERO in T20 World Cup': Fans praise Hardik Pandya's 50 against Bangladesh

In their second Super 8s clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, Team India, who were asked to bat first, found themselves on the best batting surface of the tournament so far, posting their highest total - 196 runs. They smashed 13 sixes at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, the most in a T20 World Cup match for India, surpassing their previous record of 11 against England in Durban in 2007.

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While all batters contributed, vice-captain Hardik Pandya stole the show with a classic half-century off 27 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes. His performance sparked discussions on X (formerly known as Twitter), highlighting how he turned every boo received during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 into applause as a hero at the T20 World Cup.

During the match, the start was promising as skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli quickly got India going, but Sharma departed in the fourth over after scoring 23 off 11 balls. Kohli (37 off 28) and Rishabh Pant (36 off 24) kept the scoreboard moving, both reaching their 30s before getting out. Suryakumar Yadav fell quickly for 6 off 2 balls. Shivam Dube took his time but managed a valuable 34 off 24 balls, while Hardik's innings towards the end provided the necessary impetus, nearly pushing India to 200.

Bangladesh, however, remains competitive with a good batting pitch. Rishad Hossain and Tanzim Hasan Sakib claimed two wickets each, while Shakib Al Hasan took one.

India holds a commanding 12-1 head-to-head record against Bangladesh in World Cups, despite the fierce competition between the two teams due to their intense rivalry.

Teams:

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das(w), Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman.

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.

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