Hardik Pandya starred with the bat in India’s series-clinching 30-run victory over South Africa during the fifth and final T20I in Ahmedabad on Friday (December 19).
Batting at No. 5, Hardik smashed 63 off 25 balls with five fours and as many sixes. The all-rounder was at his destructive best right from the outset, hitting Corbin Bosch for a six on the very first delivery he faced.
After earning the Player-of-the-Match award, Hardik opened up on his promise to girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, about stepping out on the very first ball.
“Today I just felt it. I actually told my partner beforehand that I was going to step out first ball and try to hit it for six. I was confident it would come off. The situation suited my style; I backed myself and it worked,” Hardik said in the post-match conversation.
“I took a calculated risk and thankfully it went my way. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge. No matter how many setbacks you face, the aim is to come back stronger, better, and make a bigger impact. When it all comes together, it feels satisfying. But the journey continues - the preparation, the planning, the hard work never stops,” he added.
The first-ball maximum set the tone as Hardik Pandya went on a rampaging mode, smashing boundaries at will to complete his 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.
“Winning games is what you play for and it’s always exciting when your contribution helps the team get over the line. No, I actually didn’t know (he has the second fastest fifty for India) until I got out and went back. Our social media guys told me I was the second-fastest. My first reaction was, “Ah, I missed the top spot!” But happy that Yuvi pa holds that record,” Hardik remarked.
During his whirlwind display, Hardik Pandya was involved in a fourth-wicket partnership of 105 runs with Tilak Varma, who scored a brilliant 73 off 42 balls with 10 fours and 1 six.
Earlier, India’s opening duo of Sanju Samson (37 off 22) and Abhishek Sharma (34 off 21) set the platform with a quickfire 63-run stand. Thanks to their contributions, the Men in Blue racked up a massive 231/5 on the board.
In reply, the Proteas were restricted to 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.
