Watch: Pandya's zen-like confidence before the last-ball 6 has internet in awe

Star allrounder Hardik Pandya showed nerves of steel to steer India to a thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan in Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Chasing a target of 148, Hardik hit three boundaries and a six in the last two overs to take India home with two balls to spare.

Hardik also returned with figures of three for 25 after India opted to bowl.

The Gujarat Titans captain dished out short-pitch stuff right through the innings as first five Pakistan wickets fell to deliveries climbing to the shoulders of the Pakistani batters. His 3/25 gave Indian batters a relatively modest target to go one-up over Pakistan in this tournament.

It then came down to Hardik to finish off the messed-up chase with an unbeaten 17-ball 33. As Hardik finished the match with a six off left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, he again showed why he becomes an indispensable part of the team when he is bowling at full tilt.

What won the hearts of fans though was the zen-like calm, tremendous confidence and immense self-belief displayed by the Baroda man, a ball before he took India home.

The reassuring nod that Hardik gave to Dinesh Karthik (at the other end) immediately after the third delivery of the final over by Nawaz was caught on camera and it showed why he already knew he would finish it for India.


The third ball of the final over was a dot played by Hardik. He backed away outside leg and flat-batted a middle-stump delivery straight to extra-cover. With India still needing 6 to win in 3 balls, Hardik then gave a reassuring gaze to Karthik which signaled that he was confident of getting those runs. And the next ball itself was launched by Hardik over the long-on boundary for a six.

Fans were in total awe of Pandya’s look and in seconds it was all over social media.

Even Pakistani fans acknowledged Hardik’s conviction.