Hardik Pandya delivered a standout all-round performance at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Thursday, guiding Mumbai Indians to a resounding 100-run win over Rajasthan Royals. What made his effort even more remarkable was the fact that he played through a painful injury sustained just days before the match.

In the lead-up to the high-profile clash, Pandya encountered a serious setback during a net session. While attempting a sweep shot against a local spinner, the ball ricocheted and struck him directly above the eye. The impact was severe, necessitating seven stitches and raising doubts over his availability for the match.