In a high-voltage Elite Group B clash of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, Baroda faced off against Vidarbha on January 3. Vidarbha captain Harsh Dubey won the toss and elected to bowl first, setting the stage for a batting showdown under clear skies. The match quickly turned into a spectacle as Baroda’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya delivered a match-defining performance, propelling his team to a formidable total.​

Hardik Pandya’s explosive hundred stuns Vidarbha

Pandya arrived at the crease with Baroda reeling at 71-5 after 19.1 overs, following early blows from Vidarbha pacers Yash Thakur and Nachiket Bhute. Undeterred, the Indian all-rounder steadied the ship alongside brother Krunal Pandya (23 off 50), forging a crucial 65-run stand for the sixth wicket. Pandya accelerated ruthlessly, reaching his fifty before unleashing pure carnage in the 39th over against left-arm spinner Parth Rekhade.​

Needing 34 to reach three figures from 66 off 62 balls, Pandya smashed five consecutive sixes—over long-on, covers, mid-wicket, and beyond—before sealing the over with a boundary through point for 34 runs total. The sequence: 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 4. Fans online went berserk, flooding social media with clips of the assault, hailing it as one of domestic cricket’s most memorable overs. This maiden List A ton came off just 68 balls.​

Pandya fell soon after for 133 off 92 balls (8 fours, 11 sixes, SR 144.57), caught by Atharva Taide off Thakur at 258-8 in the 45.2 over. Vishnu Solanki (26 off 17) and late flourishes from Mahesh Pithiya (18* off 14) and Karan Umatt (13* off 11) pushed Baroda to 293-9 in 50 overs (RR 5.86). Thakur starred with 4-64, while Rekhade (2-80) endured the punishment.

Also READ: Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya to get break as India plan rotation for New Zealand ODIs

Here’s how fans reacted:

🚨BIG SHOW FOR HARDIK PANDYA🚨

Hardik Pandya has scored a century in 68 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. At one point, Pandya was scoring 68 runs in 62 balls. pic.twitter.com/wuVSYj6Rer

— 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 (@gurlabhsingh610) January 3, 2026

HARDIK PANDYA IN ABSOLUTE BEAST MODE! 🔥💥
A brutal 68-ball hundred in the Vijay Hazare Trophy vs Vidarbha 💪🏏
Power. Confidence. Statement knock.#HardikPandya #VijayHazareTrophy pic.twitter.com/8GGfMwGGJ7

— Ganesh 🇮🇳 (@GaneshVerse) January 3, 2026

No one crossed even 30. Then come Hardik Pandya. Scored 117*(81) for Baroda.

Clutch GOAT Hardik Pandya. 🗿 pic.twitter.com/ixhuFiJaCI

— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) January 3, 2026

– He is playing first match in this VHT.
– He came to bat when Baroda 71/5.
– No batter crossed 30 runs mark.
– He smashed Hundred.
– He scored 133(93).
– He hits 11 Sixes & 8 fours.

TAKE A BOW, HARDIK PANDYA – THE MVP OF INDIA. 🫡🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/LZUUzFMr5L

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) January 3, 2026

If clutch has human form , its is Hardik Pandya pic.twitter.com/KZdWNN9qxI

— ROHIT¹⁸🇮🇳 (@bvrrrohit) January 3, 2026

HARDIK PANDYA’S INNINGS TODAY IN VHT:

-First 62 balls – 66 runs.
-Last 29 balls – 67 runs (231.03 SR).#hardikpandya #VijayHazareTrophy pic.twitter.com/M3vKNJCwxg

— urstruly (@VikashChou70911) January 3, 2026

Take a Bow for Hardik Pandya

-He smashed 133 runs from 92 balls within 11 sixes and 8 fours for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 🏆.

What a clutch player Hardik Pandya is! pic.twitter.com/GlEro4frqT

— Ashu (@AshuKharwa66211) January 3, 2026

HARDIK PANDYA’S INNINGS TODAY IN VHT:

First 62 balls – 66 runs.
Last 29 balls – 67 runs (231.03 SR).

– THE DESTRUCTION OF HARDIK PANDYA. 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/l8pOkprql3

— Cricnow (@CricketNew73688) January 3, 2026

🚨 HARDIK PANDYA 133 RUNS FROM JUST 92 BALLS 🚨

– Baroda: 71/5
– No batter has scored more than 30 runs
– One man show by Hardik

GREAT NEWS FOR INDIA 🇮🇳#HardikPandeya #VijayHazareTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/oeVO8WsZ1z

— Niraj Kumar (@Nirajku11362609) January 3, 2026

Hardik Pandya is on fire 🔥

133 runs off just 92 balls with Baroda at 71/5, and no one else has even scored 30! Talk about carrying the team on his shoulders. pic.twitter.com/dkxdCuecMc

— MrFantus (@Mrfantus09) January 3, 2026

Baroda puts up a fighting total against Vidarbha in VHT 2025-26

Baroda’s innings began shakily, Amit Pasi fell for a duck, while Nitya Pandya reached 15 before Bhute struck early. The collapse deepened as Priyanshu Moliya (16), Atit Sheth (21), Jitesh Sharma (9) and Krunal departed, leaving them struggling at 71-5. The Powerplay produced just 43 runs, but Pandya’s counterattack flipped momentum. Vital partnerships of 45 with Solanki and 77 with Raj Limbani (10) hauled Baroda to 293-9, despite nine wickets falling.

Vidarbha now faces a steep chase on a flat Rajkot track offering pace and bounce. Pandya’s blitz not only boosted Baroda’s semifinal hopes in the domestic 50-over showpiece but also signaled his peaking form ahead of India’s white-ball commitments, including the 2026 T20 World Cup. Supporters chanted his name long after stumps, cementing the knock as a highlight of VHT 2025-26.​

Also WATCH: Fan reacts angrily after Hardik Pandya declines selfie request at an event