(Image credit: Hardik Pandya)

NEW DELHI: Hardik Pandya scored an unbeaten 16-ball 39 after a stunning performance from the top batters in the powerplay as India secured an easy seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in their T20I series opener in Gwalior on Sunday.
Chasing a modest target of 128, the Indian batters went all out against the Bangladesh bowlers, taking the side over the line in just 11.5 overs in a one-sided contest.
In the chase, the swashbuckling Hardik was at his absolute best as he took the opposition bowlers to the pitch and hit five fours and two sixes in his blitz attack, translating to a strike rate of over 243.
In his brutal attack, Hardik’s unique, understated ramp shot impressed everyone.
As India neared the target, Taskin Ahmed, the Bangladesh bowler, took a sharp rebound and shot towards the goal and Hardik executed the no-look ramp over the keeper with absolute ease and perfection.
Knowing that he had delivered a perfect shot, Hardik didn’t even look back but instead fixed his gaze on the bowler.

After his cool no-look shot, Hardik hit a few more boundaries to end India’s fightback and secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Earlier, world champions India, after resting several first-choice players, beat Bangladesh by 127 points.
Deployed to bat in the series opener, the Bangladesh batters faltered one by one as left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh (3/14) and comeback man Varun Chakravarthy (3/31) scored three times.
Touring captain Najmul Shanto managed 27 and Mehidy Hasan 35* but received no support from others.
India lost opener Abhishek Sharma (16) in the second over but Sanju Samson and skipper Suryakumar Yadav contributed a total of 29 runs to India’s dazzling powerplay display.
Debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy remained unbeaten in the 16th matchday and watched from the other end as Pandya finished the game in style.