Hardik Pandya began the game on a wrong footing, going for 20 runs in his first over, but then made up for that in style by scoring a fighting half-century for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad in an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018. In between, he ran out Brendon McCullum off a direct throw from mid-off, thus scuttling Royall challengers Bangalore’s chances of getting to a big total.

However, ultimately Pandya’s 42-ball 50 was not enough as MI lost the match by 14 runs.

Pandya had bowled full tosses in the very first over, including a no-ball, leaking 13 runs off just one legal delivery. It was a break that a struggling rCB batting line-up was looking for.

But then he worked himself back in, first with a run out and then a watchful half-century, his sixth in T20 cricket, that brought his side to the cusp of victory.

He had walked into bat when MI were struggling at 47/4 with backs to the wall. His stay was a struggle so long as Yuzvendra Chahal was bowling. He was clueless. However, he somehow managed to take single and pass on the strike. The moment he sensed opportunities, like against Washington Sundar, he opened his arms, hammering him for a six and a four. Or guiding the ball to fence when De Grandhomme strayed down the leg-side.