India’s Hardik Pandya made a mockery of the South African bowling attack in the fifth and final T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday (December 19).
Coming to bat at No. 5, Hardik was at his destructive best right from the word go, hitting Corbin Bosch for a six on the very first delivery he faced.
He continued his carnage and cruised to a half-century off just 16 balls - the second fastest for India in T20Is after Yuvraj Singh’s 12-ball fifty versus England in Durban during the 2007 T20 World Cup.
Hardik was eventually dismissed by Ottneil Baartman in the final over for 63 off 25 deliveries. His knock was studded with five fours and as many sixes.
One of Hardik Pandya's sixes struck a cameraman, and the all-rounder went over to check on him immediately after the final delivery of the match was bowled.
Hardik displayed a great gesture and was even seen applying an ice pack to the cameraman’s left shoulder, where the ferociously struck ball had hit him.
Here’s the video:
In a video shared by BCCI on social media, Hardik reflected on the incident and said, "God was with me as well, that it didn't go anywhere above that, it hit him in the place where it will be bruised tomorrow but at the same point of time, he was a very lucky man. I am very grateful that it didn't go higher."
He added, “I got really worried inside because it was quite a clean hit. I just thought I would say sorry and check in. I have seen him around all the 10-11 years of my career. Just wanted to make sure that he was fine.”
On the other hand, the cameraperson downplayed the incident, saying, "Kuch nahi hua. (Nothing happened)."
Coming to the match, India won the Ahmedabad T20I by 30 runs, thereby clinching the five-match T20I series 3-1.
India's batting was at its very best in the series finale. While Sanju Samson (37 off 22) and Abhishek Sharma (34 off 21) set the platform with a quickfire 63-run stand, Hardik Pandya (63 off 25) and Tilak Varma (73 off 42) followed it up with brutal half-centuries as the hosts racked up a massive 231/5 in 20 overs.
In reply, the Proteas managed to reach 201/8 in 20 overs. Quinton de Kock waged a lone battle with 35-ball 65 and only got some support from Dewald Brevis (31 off 17).
Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, returning with the figures of 2 for 17 in four overs. While Varun Chakaravarthy managed to claim four wickets, he was a bit expensive, conceding 53 runs in his quota of overs.
