Hardik Pandya had just reached his half-century when India lost their ninth wicket and things looked far from comfortable for the visitors. But then, in the matter of a few overs, the man from Baroda changed things.
By lunch time, India had gone from 428-9 to 487 without any further loss as Pandya broke loose in a manner that would have done the world’s biggest hitters proud. Pandya is currently batting on 108 off 93 balls with 8 fours and 7 sixes.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the manic knock:
Records galore
Hardik Pandya now 81st batsman to make 483rd Test century for India!#SLvInd
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 13, 2017
107 runs by Hardik Pandya is the most by an Indian before lunch on any day of a Test.
— Deepu Narayana (@deeputalks) August 13, 2017
PRE: 99 by Sehwag v WI, Gros Islet, 2006#SLvIND
This is the 3rd time in last 3 months Hardik Pandya has hit 3 sixes off 3 consecutive balls in International cricket; twice v Pak in CT.
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) August 13, 2017
Fastest Test Century by Indian:
— ICC_power (@ICC_Power) August 13, 2017
74 Balls: Kapil Dev
74 Balls: Azhar
78 Balls: Sehwag
85 Balls: Dhawan
86 Balls: Kapil Dev
86 Balls:PANDYA
26 runs by Hardik Pandya in an over - no Indian has hit so many in a single over in Test cricket!#SLvInd
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 13, 2017
A special knock
What an unbelievable innings by Hardik Pandya.Counter attack at its best.Scored his first 50 of 61 balls ,the second of 25.Brilliant#INDvSL
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 13, 2017
If your First Hundred in your first class career is in a Test match it has to be extra special @hardikpandya7 well played #uniquefeat
— shishir hattangadi (@shishhattangadi) August 13, 2017
Dream Test for Hardik Pandya. A ton and Jadeja's suspension. #IndvSL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) August 13, 2017
Now that’s intent
Most sixes in International cricket for India this year:
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) August 13, 2017
26* Pandya
19 Kohli
14 Jadeja
13 Dhoni
10 Yuvraj#SLvIND
Haridk Pandya last seven balls
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) August 13, 2017
6, 1, 4, 4, 6, 6, 6
From Test mode to T5 mode
Umpires not calling for lunch, coz Pandya is eating the bowlers and Sri Lanka have lost their appetite.
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) August 13, 2017
The repeated wide balls by SL shows the effect of the murderous assault by Hardik Pandya. #IndvsSL
— Mrityunjay Rajput (@Mrityunjay3D) August 13, 2017
And, of course, some hyperbole
Hardik Pandya almost better than Bradman
— BND 🏏 (@NorwegianDave) August 13, 2017