Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, gave Hardik the cake.
Leading all-rounder Hardik Pandya of India turned 30 on Wednesday. Prior to India’s eight-wicket victory against Afghanistan in the World Cup match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Pandya was spotted cutting a cake. Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, gave Hardik the cake.
Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir of India was also present for the occasion; Star Sports posted a video of it on social media.
I shall be playing a match on my birthday for the first time ever. After cutting the cake, Hardik remarked, “It will be fun. Agastya, the son of his wife Natasa Stankovic, had arrived on time for the festivities, he added, and Agastya had also given him a gift.
After that, Pandya was asked by Gambhir to frame Agastya’s gift, and the all-round player consented.
Hardik did, however, have an impact with the ball as he took two wickets in his seven overs bowled. Hardik started his account with the wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was removed for 21(28), after being brought on during the powerplay.
At the same moment when Afghanistan was tightening its hold on the game, Hardik gave India a vital advantage. Hardik ended the 121-run partnership for the fourth wicket, just as Azmatullah Omarzai and Hashmatullah Shahidi were leading Afghanistan towards a historic conclusion. The birthday kid celebrated wildly when he got the wicket since Azmatullah had hit Hardik for a boundary on the preceding delivery.
Hardik had an uneventful day prior to the match due to an injury he had sustained against Australia in their previous meeting. When attempting to block a ball off his own bowling, the all-round player injured his middle finger. His performance was affected by the blow, as he gave up 28 runs in the three overs he bowled.
( Also Read: AFG vs IND: Virat Kohli exceeds Sachin Tendulkar to set another World Cup record. )
Hardik told the announcers on Wednesday that while his finger still hurts, it’s considerably better than it was on Sunday, and he was hoping to show off his skills with the ball more.
Hardik struck 11 not out against Australia despite not being given the opportunity to bat against Afghanistan.
