Hardik Pandya, on Tuesday (December 9), delivered a starring performance as India thrashed South Africa by 101 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series.
Batting first, India were in all sorts of trouble after being reduced to 48/3 in the 7th over with the likes of Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav back in the hut. Even the likes of Tilak Varma and Axar Patel failed to deliver with the bat as India found themselves reeling at 104/5 after 14 overs.
However, Hardik Pandya launched a stunning counterattack and scored a blazing fifty to propel the hosts to a competitive total of 175/6. In his first outing for India since the Asia Cup, the star allrounder smashed an unbeaten 59 runs off just 28 balls. His knock was studded with six fours and four sixes.
The score turned out to be more than enough as India bowled out South Africa for just 74 runs. The Proteas collapsed from 45/3 to 74 all out inside 13 overs. It is now their lowest-ever total in the shortest format of the game. Dewald Brevis (22) was the only South African batter to reach the 20-run mark. For India, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each.
Hardik Pandya (Image Credits: X)
South Africa coach praises Hardik Pandya:
South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince heaped praise on Hardik Pandya for his impressive performance with the bat. The former Proteas batter highlighted that while Pandya is a six-hitter, he is also very experienced when it comes to identifying the right balls to attack. Prince also praised Pandya's clarity while hitting the sixes.
"Well, he's a six-hitter - but he's also calm. And I think identifying the right balls to attack... that comes with a lot of experience. As soon as the ball was in his areas of strength, he put a proper swing on it - no half measures. Most of the time when Hardik hits it, he's never tentative. There's clarity in his thinking, and there's clarity in his execution. It was an outstanding innings," Ashwell Prince said in the post-match press-conference.
Clinical India look to continue impressive start:
After the big win in the first T20I, the momentum is firmly with India and they will be looking to make the most of it. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side will be eyeing another win when they take on South Africa in the second T20I. The next match is scheduled to be played on Thursday (December 11) in Mullanpur.
Hardik Pandya is a six-hitter but...: South Africa coach makes stunning comment about India allrounder
Published - 10 Dec 2025, 07:42 AM
Hardik Pandya, on Tuesday (December 9), delivered a starring performance as India thrashed South Africa by 101 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series.
Batting first, India were in all sorts of trouble after being reduced to 48/3 in the 7th over with the likes of Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav back in the hut. Even the likes of Tilak Varma and Axar Patel failed to deliver with the bat as India found themselves reeling at 104/5 after 14 overs.
However, Hardik Pandya launched a stunning counterattack and scored a blazing fifty to propel the hosts to a competitive total of 175/6. In his first outing for India since the Asia Cup, the star allrounder smashed an unbeaten 59 runs off just 28 balls. His knock was studded with six fours and four sixes.
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The score turned out to be more than enough as India bowled out South Africa for just 74 runs. The Proteas collapsed from 45/3 to 74 all out inside 13 overs. It is now their lowest-ever total in the shortest format of the game. Dewald Brevis (22) was the only South African batter to reach the 20-run mark. For India, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each.
South Africa coach praises Hardik Pandya:
South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince heaped praise on Hardik Pandya for his impressive performance with the bat. The former Proteas batter highlighted that while Pandya is a six-hitter, he is also very experienced when it comes to identifying the right balls to attack. Prince also praised Pandya's clarity while hitting the sixes.
"Well, he's a six-hitter - but he's also calm. And I think identifying the right balls to attack... that comes with a lot of experience. As soon as the ball was in his areas of strength, he put a proper swing on it - no half measures. Most of the time when Hardik hits it, he's never tentative. There's clarity in his thinking, and there's clarity in his execution. It was an outstanding innings," Ashwell Prince said in the post-match press-conference.
Clinical India look to continue impressive start:
After the big win in the first T20I, the momentum is firmly with India and they will be looking to make the most of it. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side will be eyeing another win when they take on South Africa in the second T20I. The next match is scheduled to be played on Thursday (December 11) in Mullanpur.
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Hardik Pandya Ashwell Prince India National Cricket Team IND vs SA South Africa National Cricket TeamAbout the Author
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