Mumbai Indians may have lost to Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, but those who would have watched the game will remember Hardik Pandya’s blistering 34-ball 91 for some time to come. Chasing a mammoth target of 233, Hardik walked in with the required run rate at more than 15 and seemed emboldened by the improbable rather than bogged down by fear or any sort of negativity.

It took him just 17 balls to get to his half-century and thus scored the fastest fifty of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 and fifth fastest overall. His knock included nine sixes, seven of which came in his first 17 balls. By the time he fell, Hardik had struck a six every 3.7 balls – unchartered territory, even in the often crazy world of T20. His 17-ball fifty is the joint fastest by an MI player along with Kieron Pollard and Ishan Kishan. Interestingly, both Pollard and Kishan got their half centuries against KKR as well in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Hardik’s knock also earned him the distinction of being the first player to receive 3 Badges of Honour in the MI dressing room. After the game, the swashbuckling all-rounder spoke to MITV about his mindset during the chase. “I knew I had to keep scoring runs and keep hitting sixes. To be honest, I didn't have much of a plan. It was simple. Everyone knew what I had to do - just go and enjoy my game, keep hitting and make sure I don't get out,” he said.

Apart from the nine sixes, Hardik hit six boundaries and scored almost half of MI’s 198 at a strike rate of 267.64. Furthermore, 91 is his highest score ever in the IPL as well as the highest individual score for MI this year. Having said that, Hardik himself wasn’t best pleased with personal milestones while ending on the wrong side of the result.

“I don't care about records. I'm someone who will never play for records. For me, I don't care about the numbers, I don't care about my stats. It's just that in short, the team should win. That's the only focus I always have. It's good to be honest but I will never play for records. I had no idea. I've got to know because you've told me. In the end, for me, what matters is that the team should win. Today was not our day and I don't count these records,” Hardik opined.

The 25-year-old is enjoying a wonderful season having scored 355 runs and taken 10 wickets so far. He is certain to play a major role for us in the upcoming game and is looking to take that confidence into the World Cup in England next month. “My confidence will obviously grow high. I really want to win this IPL. After that, I have the World Cup - which is my dream. I want to get the World Cup and I want to make sure I keep doing this, what I'm doing right now. Hopefully, we get the IPL trophy and the World Cup.” Hardik shared.