Hardik Pandya's impressive showing in 2022 continued on Tuesday as he powered India past the 200-run mark against Australia in the first T20I in Mohali. Pandya smacked three sixes back-to-back on the final three balls of India's innings to bring up his best-ever score in T20I cricket. 

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The all-rounder played an unbeaten 71-run inning to bring up his best-ever score in the shortest format, en route to guiding India to a total of 208/6.

This, after the Men in Blue, had earlier been reduced to 35/2, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both being sent back to the dugout after recording modest totals. 

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Pandya's three consecutive sixes helped India finish with momentum and after his superb innings, the all-rounder received a standing ovation from his teammates. 

Watch Hardik Pandya's hattrick of sixes:

Unfortunately for the Indian all-rounder, his heroics went in vain as the Men in Blue suffered a four-wicket loss in the first T20I. 

Matthew Wade struck an unbeaten 45-run knock after Cameron Green gave the visitors a good start with his 30-ball 61-run inning. 

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Having taken a 1-0 lead in the series, the second match will be a do-or-die game for India with Australia looking to clinch the series in Nagpur.