In the first T20I match between India and South Africa on Tuesday at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Hardik Pandya salvaged the day by hitting an undefeated 59 runs off 28 balls to help the hosts reach 175/6 in the allotted 20 overs.
Shubman Gill (4), Suryakumar Yadav (12), Abhishek Sharma (17), and Tilak Varma (26) all fell cheaply after India was asked to bat first. At one point, it appeared that India would not even reach the 150-run threshold, but Hardik arrived as a messiah and dazzled the crowds.
The all-rounder, who was making his India comeback after missing nearly three months due to injury, saved the hosts from humiliation by hitting six fours and four sixes in his innings, giving them a competitive score and something to work with.
Halfway through his knock, Hardik joined Virat Kohli (124), Suryakumar Yadav (155), and Rohit Sharma (205) as the fourth Indian to reach 100 sixes in Twenty20 Internationals.
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After hitting a maximum off Anrich Nortje's bowling on the second delivery of the last over of India's innings, Hardik reached his half-century, slamming 11 runs in the final four balls that he faced.
Both captain Suryakumar and head coach Gautam Gambhir gave him a standing ovation from the dugout after he reached his half-century, acknowledging his exceptional performance.
Former India batsman Robin Uthappa praised Hardik's performance in the middle of the innings, stating the all-rounder saved the hosts with a fast half-century.
“I'll tell you what, Hardik Pandya saved India the blushes. They are still 18-20 runs short, but he came there and played an absolute blinder. That was an innings out of the top drawer,” said Uthappa on Star Sports.
“Just the way he approached from the start. He watched the ball really well, great basics of power hitting. Everything right about that innings from him,” he added.
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