IND vs AFG: Hardik Pandya Celebrates His 30th Birthday On Air Before Toss In Delhi | Watch
In addition, Hardik Pandya disclosed that this is the first time he has played an Indian match on his birthday since making his debut for the nation.
The fashionable all-rounder Hardik Pandya of India celebrated his 30th birthday on Wednesday in a grand way by cutting his cake live on television prior to the toss against Afghanistan at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Just prior to the start of the game, there was a cake-cutting ceremony, and Star Sports presenter Jatin Sapru, together with former India batter Gautam Gambhir.
Pandya also disclosed that this is the first time he has played an India match on his birthday since making his debut for the nation.
.@GautamGambhir & Star Sports family celebrates birthday of the star all-rounder @hardikpandya7 🎂
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 11, 2023
Watch him talk about the best birthday wish he got 😍
Tune-in to #INDvAFG in #WorldCupOnStar
LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network#CWC23 #GreatestGlory #Cricket pic.twitter.com/5BSUPTmgEC
"I shall be playing a match on my birthday for the first time in my life. After slicing the cake, Hardik commented, "Let's see, this will be fun."
From his 2016 Men in Blue white-ball debut, Hardik has been a household name in Indian cricket.
In 83 ODI matches, he has made appearances and amassed 1,769 runs at an average of 34.01 runs per game. Along with his success as a bowler, he has claimed 80 wickets at a 5.53 economy rate.
Pandya has participated in 92 Twenty20 Internationals and has been an essential team player. Having scored 1,348 runs, which includes three half-centuries, he has proven his batting ability. With the ball, he has also shown himself to be a valuable asset, taking 73 wickets at an economy rate of 8.16.
He helped the Gujarat Titans win the IPL championship in 2022, their first-ever season. He has participated in 123 IPL matches, taking 53 wickets and amassing 2,309 runs at an average of 30.38.
Returning to the game, Afghanistan chose to bat first after winning the toss. Shardul Thakur replaced Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian starting eleven, marking one alteration to the lineup.
Conversely, Afghanistan fielded the same 11 that lost to Bangladesh in their first encounter in Dharamsala.