Watch: Bhuvneshwar Kumar nearly ends Hardik Pandya's career with a lusty blow to face

Kolkata: One of the hardest ball-hitters in modern day cricket, Hardik Pandya always sparks threat to bowlers and umpires at the other end while batting at the crease.

This time, the Indian all-rounder was at the receiving end as he nearly suffered an injury scare with a severe blow to the helmet during the 2nd ODI between India and Australia at Eden Gardens on Thursday.

The incident occurred during the 47th over of the Indian innings, when Bhuvneshwar Kumar tried to hit Nathan Coulter-Nile down the ground. The Australian seamer bowled a fullish delivery and Kumar tried to smash it down the ground before it struck Pandya on the helmet at the non-striker's crease.

The Mumbai Indians all-rounder tried avoiding the delivery, but lost his balance in process and was knocked down. Australia skipper Steve Smith soon rushed to help Pandya and called out the Indian team physio for help.

The swashbuckling right-hander was able to resume his innings after some medical treatment but failed to stay at the crease in the end. Pandya was baffled by a slower full toss off Kane Richardson during the final over when he tried to go big. He eventually hit it straight to Warner at the long off boundary to depart for a paltry 20.

India set up a total of 252 for the visitors to chase before Kuldeep Yadav rattled the Australian batting order with a sizzling hat-trick to help India take a 2-0 lead in the 5-match ODI series.