India vs Australia 3rd ODI: Twitter Hails Hardik Pandya As India Seals Series

Hardik Pandya scored a brilliant 78 as India thrashed Australia by 5 wickets in the third ODI at Indore to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

India began their pursuit of 294 in a dominant manner with Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma adding 139 runs for the first wicket. The big partnership was broken by Nathan Coulter-Nile when he dismissed Sharma for 70. 8 runs later, Rahane departed too after being trapped in front by Pat Cummins.

But just when it looked like India will comfortably chase down the total, Australia fought their back in the game by sending back Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav in quick succession. However, Hardik Pandya‘s stunning runs knock guided the Men in Blue to a comfortable victory in the end.

Earlier, another batting collapse restricted Australia to 293 for 6 despite Aaron Finch scoring 124 and Steve Smith making 63. The visitors went off to a good start with Finch and Warner adding 70 runs for the first wicket before the latter was clean bowled by Hardik Pandya.  Finch and Smith then laid the platform for a big total by adding 154 runs for the second wicket. The huge partnership was broken when Finch hit a Kuldeep Yadav delivery straight to Kedar Jadhav at deep mid-wicket. The opening batsman hit 124 off 125 balls including 12 fours and 5 sixes.

However, Australia could not capitalise on the string platform and lost wickets at regular intervals after Finch’s departure. From 242 for 3, they were reduced to 260 for with the likes of Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head back in the hut. Marcus Stoinis then played a handy knock of 27 runs to guide the team to a challenging total which did not turn out to be good enough in the end.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings.

Astounding headway Hardik Pandya has made in 2017.. especially as a batsman ! Untrammeled belligerence backed by fine temperament #INDvAUS

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) September 24, 2017

In this game, Pandya has done well in Pandey’s position and Pandey has done well in Pandya’s position #INDvAUS

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) September 24, 2017

https://twitter.com/GappistanRadio/status/911974414844960769

“Tumhe kya laga winning shot koi aur maarega ??” #IndvAus pic.twitter.com/4bJc5AVQZC

— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) September 24, 2017

The Indian Cricket Fans and Hardik Pandya in 2017!#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/eP8QrYTKS3

— Rashi (@rashi_kakkar) September 24, 2017

https://twitter.com/FarziCricketer/status/911974600745009152

Next generation won't believe that we used to make jokes on the legendary Hardik Pandya in 2016.

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) September 24, 2017

The mood in which Pandya is batting, I wont mind Smith bringing himself to the attack. Certainly a better option than bowling Agar at him.

— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) September 24, 2017

By the look of it, the whole Indian team is playing for the No. 4 slot.#IndvsAus

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) September 24, 2017

https://twitter.com/The_Sleigher/status/911954628350054400

Handscomb makes no runs and drops a (difficult) catch. Nice reminder that you should pick a specialist keeper #INDvAUS

— Daniel Brettig ? (@danbrettig) September 24, 2017

When he hits it like that, it goes out of the ground! A huge six off @ImRo45's bat and flies over the roof. ?
New ball please.#INDvAUS

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) September 24, 2017

Rohit Sharma in full flow is one of the most pleasing sites in world cricket. A treat to the eyes @ImRo45 #INDvAUS

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 24, 2017

https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/911915017770983425

1. Australian fans during first 40 overs. 2. Australian fans after 40th over. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/kYoEAZDBAd

— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) September 24, 2017

Glenn Maxwell's Daily Schedule:
1. Step Out
2. Try To Hit Chahal For SIX
3. Miss The Ball
4. Get Stumped By MS #Dhoni ??#INDvAUS #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/2viNsX2hwJ

— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) September 24, 2017

https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/911912411300429824

Finch is to Australia's ODI team what Lyon is to the Test team; always delivering when the doubters circle #INDvAUS

— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) September 24, 2017

Aaron Finch is like some sort of super-Hilton Cartwright. Hard to think of higher praise than that. #INDvAUS

— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) September 24, 2017