Ahead of the start of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Team India are taking on Bangladesh in their only warm-up match. It is taking place at the Nassau County International Stadium, New York, the same venue where India vs Pakistan match is scheduled. India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. The objective is to render some practice to each of the squad members before the beginning of the marquee tournament. Hardik Pandya made the most of the practice match and finished with an unbeaten 40 off 23 balls.

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Hardik Pandya returns to form; smashes three sixes on three balls in IND vs BAN  ICC T20 World Cup Warm-up match

Rohit Sharma and Sanju Samson started proceedings for India in the match. Samson departed early, and then Captain Sharma and Rishabh Pant built a partnership. Sharma eventually departed after scoring 23 runs in 19 balls. Pant, however, kept going and retired after getting to a half-century that might give him more confidence. In due course, Hardik Pandya also came to the crease. Pandya took half a dozen balls to get his eye in and then went all out on Tanvir Islam in the 17th over. He took the ariel route on the first three balls and sent all three of them into the stands.

Hardik Pandya striking well comes as good news for India, as he could play a key role for India in the impending World Cup. Pandya playing well comes as an encouraging sign for India, now it would be intriguing to see whether he could carry the momentum garnered in the warm-up match to the World Cup game as well. Moreover, India would be counting on him to ball his quota of four overs in every match and provide the breakthrough when needed.