On Tuesday, March 4, during India’s batting against Australia in the first semi-final of the ongoing Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Hardik Pandya hit his first boundary, a huge 106-meter blast on the fifth ball of the 45th over.
Tanveer Sangha was harmed by the horrific shot. Following four dot balls, Hardik broke free by bludgeoning the ball over the bowler’s head and sending it flying into the stands after clearing his front leg to a floating delivery in his arc.
Watch the video below:
HARDIK 𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗧𝗖𝗛 PANDYA! 👊#HardikPandya launches 🚀 one into the park as #TeamIndia inches closer to the target! 👏#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar 👉 #INDvAUS, LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2 & Sports18-1!
📺📱 Start Watching FREE on JioHotstar:… pic.twitter.com/hjAIUzy36M
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 4, 2025
It was Hardik’s first maximum in his pivotal knock for the Indian team.
Later on, he crushed Adam Zampa for a few of maximums, shattering any optimism Australia had built up throughout the second innings. Though it was a touch too late for the Men in Yellow, Nathan Ellis dismissed Hardik in the 48th over.
The brilliant Kohli leads India to a historic victory.
In recognition of his game-changing 84 (98), Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match. In Dubai, Kohli skilfully anchored the second innings to guide India through the middle part of their innings on a challenging deck. The Men in Blue achieved an incredibly memorable victory thanks to his tough 74th ODI half-century.
In an ICC knockout tournament, this was India’s first victory over Australia in 5,094 days. The last time India triumphed over Australia in a match that was up for grabs came on March 24, 2011, during the Cricket World Cup quarterfinal. The winners of South Africa and New Zealand’s second semi-final matchup will face India in the Champions Trophy 2025 final.