Mumbai Indians (MI) all-rounder Hardik Pandya got to face only 8 balls against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). But who knew those eight balls would play a major role in MI's victory over MS Dhoni-led side by 37 runs.
Pandya scored unbeaten 25 runs off 8 balls to take MI to a score of 170. At one stage it was looking tough for them to even reach 150. Pandya, along with Pollard, scored 45 runs off the last two overs which changed the game entirely.
The innings Pandya played it included 3 big sixes and all those hits were followed by a celebration. Best of all was the helicopter shot which was launched off Dwayne Bravo's last over. It went 91 meters long.
Talking about the shot, Hardik revealed how he copied it from Dhoni after watching him play the shot so many times over the years.
"Very special, I have been working on that shot (helicopter). After playing that shot I was kind of proud, I was expecting MS to come and say 'good shot'. Generally, people like to bowl at the stumps against me. It's a shot which is not easy but I have seen MS hitting them so many times.
"He is an inspiration and we try to copy a lot of shots which he plays and this is one of the shots which I've copied from him and quite happy that it came out well," Pandya said.
Hardik shares a good bonding with Kieron Pollard. He called him a special cricketer.
"He is a special cricketer. He is very dear to us, he's like a brother to me. He's a match-winner no matter if he is batting, bowling or fielding. Whenever you put him in the spot he will deliver. According to me his an MI legend," he said.
Pandya was outstanding with the ball. He picked up three wickets including Dhoni's wicket at a crucial stage. "It feels really good to help the team win and to contribute to it. It's been seven months since I played much competitive cricket. Have batted and batted and batted in the nets. Touch wood, it's helping me," Hardik said on Wednesday.
He added: "I am someone who loves to have game time and I am hitting them really well at the moment. Yes, the injury happened and then the controversy too. These seven months weren't easy and I wasn't sure of what to do.
"This award is special and I dedicate it to all those who stood by me during those tough times. My goal is to keep performing and hopefully, help India win the World Cup."
