Ever since his triumphant return to international cricket after a severe lower-back injury and a suspension levied by the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), Hardik Pandya has been responding to his haters in the best way possible, i.e; by performing at an exceptional level with the bat and the ball.

As a crucial member of the Indian batting order, Pandya, who has been known for his explosive big hits and mounting up big individual totals in very short periods of time, just hit a hat-trick of sixes against New Zealand's Todd Astle in the fifth and final ODI of the series. Pandya achieved this feat for the fifth time in his career.

On the other hand, taking at least one wicket in almost every match he has played ever since his comeback against the Kiwis in the third ODI, Pandya has been one of India's ace bowlers through the last couple of weeks.

However, the New Zealand team that lost to the Men in Blue 1-4 in the ODI series, looks completely different as the other series in the T20I format began today. Skipper Kane Williamson 's decision to replace opener Martin Guptill with Tim Seifert turned out to be a hit as the righty thrashed the Indian bowling side left, right and centre.

The rest of the Kiwi batters followed suit and dominated bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed.

Having said that, the bowler who got absolutely dismantled by Seifert and Co. was Indian allrounder, Hardik Pandya. With an absolutely horrible economy rate of 12.75, Pandya turned out to be the most expensive bowler for skipper Rohit Sharma, conceding 51 runs in just 4 overs!

Pandya's half a ton with the ball is the worst performance by any Indian bowler against the Kiwis.

whenever nz batsmen see hardik pandya#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/vVz8PrmYux

— 㤠㤠㤠㤠㤠                           㤠㤠ã¤ã¤ 㤠㤠㤠(@firkiii) February 6, 2019

* Hardik Pandya in First T/20 against NZ * #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/82U9IwMzKX

— Hunà¤à¤°à¤° â (@nickhunterr) February 6, 2019

Brilliant innings from Hardik Pandya ( 50 runs) and Khaleel(48) 2 short of 50 hard luck . #NZvIND

— #FAN (@Sarcastic__Raj) February 6, 2019

Glad to see Hardik Pandya scored 50.. #INDVSNZ #NZvIND #INDvNZ

— Silly me (@Sathish03577169) February 6, 2019