India vs South Africa, 1st T20I: Hardik Pandya’s brilliance lights up Cuttack

Hardik Pandya playing a shot during the first T20I cricket match between India and South Africa at Barabati Stadium, in Cuttack. (Courtesy: PTI photo)

Hardik Pandya is unique. A true blue all rounder, he is one of the rare few in the world who can win a match with both bat and ball. And while India has tried out others like Nitish Reddy and Shivam Dube, the truth is there is none like Pandya in the country at the moment. This was yet again evident in Cuttack where Pandya turned the match on its head with his brilliance with the bat and then came back to pick up David Miller with the ball.

It was a relatively sedate start for India with Abhishek not getting much of the strike. And with Gill and Surya dismissed early on, there was some pressure on Abhishek and Tilak to steady the ship. When Tilak was dismissed and India was four down, 150-160 looked a distant ask. Step in Hardik and things changed. Two sixes of Maharaj set the tone and the straight drive of Anrich Nortje was perhaps the shot of the evening. And when he cut Nortje yet again for six in the final over to reach his half century, he had managed to take India beyond 170, a real good score in challenging batting conditions.

What stood out was his shot making. He was striking the ball clean and the self confidence, which is a defining feature of Hardik’s game was there in abundance. While dissecting the two fielders at square leg and mid wicket or when beating the mid off, Hardik knew exactly what he was doing. Even in the last over he refused a single to hit the next ball for four.

Going into the world cup, all of India will be praying that Hardik stays fit. He can literally do everything- bat up or finish the innings, start the innings with the ball or bowl the middle overs and also take some incredible catches to turn games on its head. The only issue with Hardik is he is fragile. He has had multiple injuries in the past and with the world cup just round the corner, it is essential that India manage him well.

Two things stood out about Hardik in Cuttack. First, there was no rustiness. He was playing international cricket after two months and yet it was just like a very natural thing to do. He batted, bowled and fielded without any discomfort and that’s testimony to a very good rehab. Second was his determination to see things out and not throw the wicket away. Hardik was aware that there was nothing after him and that he needed to be out there for India to get past 170. A well calibrated assault at the end meant they got a few more and the game was perfectly set up for the bowlers.

In home conditions, Hardik will be the key in February-March during the world cup. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say he will be India’s most valuable asset going into the tournament and much will depend on him staying injury free. For now, it is 1-0 and largely thanks to Hardik’s brilliance. It was indeed a return worth waiting for and also a relief that he is back and back how.