Who is Bhanu Pania? 5 interesting facts about Baroda batter who smashed 134* in record breaking SMAT 2024-25 match vs Sikkim
Baroda's Bhanu Pania played the best innings of his life so far, helping Baroda script history in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) on Thursday, December 5. In their SMAT 2024-25 clash against Sikkim, Baroda posted the highest total in T20 history, scoring 349-5.
They achieved this historic feat primarily on the back of a scintillating unbeaten ton from Bhanu Pania. The Baroda batter slammed an unbeaten 134 off just 51 balls at a strike rate of 262.74.
His knock of 134* is also the second-highest individual score in the tournament this year, which helped Baroda shatter several records. They also went on to win the game by a massive margin of 263 runs, restricting Sikkim to just 86/7 from their 20 overs. Bhanu was awarded the 'Player of the Match' for his jaw-dropping display with the bat.
On that note, here are five interesting facts about the Baroda batter whose whirlwind knock has taken one and all by storm in the ongoing SMAT.
#5 Bhanu Pania is not originally from Baroda
Bhanu Pania was born on September 04, 1996, and is 28 years old. He is a right-handed batter. He slammed a record unbeaten ton for Baroda in the ongoing SMAT tournament against Sikkim, which has garnered him attention from one and all.
However, Bhanu does not originally hail from Baroda. The cricketer was born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and his full name is Bhanu Jagdish Pania. Although born in Jodhpur, Bhanu plays domestic cricket for Baroda.
#4 He made his List A and T20 debut in 2021
Bhanu made his T20 debut for Baroda in 2021 on January 10 against Uttarakhand. He batted at No. 6 in the match and scored just 1 run off three balls. The same year in December 2021, he also made his List A debut for Baroda.
His List A debut was against Mumbai during the Vijay Hazare Trophy that year. He batted at No.6 but did not have a memorable outing as he was dismissed for a first-ball duck in that match. Interestingly, Bhanu has yet to play a first-class match for Baroda.
#3 No hundred before the SMAT 2024/25 game against Sikkim
His unbeaten 134* against Sikkim is his first hundred for Baroda. Before this game, he had played 35 T20s and 11 List-A matches. He had scored just one half-century from 11 List-A innings, scoring 55.
Fifty-five was his highest individual score before this hundred across both List A and T20 matches for Baroda. Before the Sikkim game, his T20 average was just 25.61, and his strike rate was just 135.98.
#2 Bhanu has never bowled in his career for Baroda
Bhanu Pania is known for his batting and the right-hander has announced himself with his majestic knock against Sikkim. His batting exploits have been evident in the ongoing SMAT season.
However, Bhanu is also a right-arm medium pacer. Interestingly though, despite being a medium pacer, he has never bowled a single ball in his List A or T20 career despite playing 11 and 36 matches, respectively.
#1 He was a part of the Indian Premier League auction
After his scintillating innings, Bhanu Pania has certainly raised many eyebrows and will be on the radar of several Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises.
However, most people may not know that the 28-year-old batter was a part of the IPL 2023 auction. The right-handed batter had registered himself for the IPL 2023 auction at a base price of ₹20 Lakh.
Unfortunately, though, he did not gain attention from any franchises back then and went unsold.