Hardik Pandya produced a stunning all-round display in the fifth T20I vs South Africa, smashing a 25-ball 63 and creating history in men’s T20Is.
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya produced a sensational performance in the fifth T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad. Pandya smashed 63 runs off just 25 balls, including five sixes and five fours, to complete 2000 runs in T20 Internationals.
With this innings, Pandya became the first Indian and first fast-bowling all-rounder to complete the double of 2000 runs and 100 wickets in men’s T20Is – a feat no other Indian player had managed before.
Second-fastest T20I fifty for India
Batting with aggressive intent from the first ball, Pandya brought up his half-century in just 16 balls, the second-fastest fifty by an Indian in T20Is.
The record for the fastest T20I fifty for India remains with Yuvraj Singh, who achieved this feat in 12 balls against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup. Abhishek Sharma is third on the list with a 17-ball half-century against England earlier this year.
Pandya surpasses Yuvraj Singh in elite all-round record
Hardik Pandya also surpassed Yuvraj Singh by recording a rare all-round feat for the fourth time in men’s T20Is – scoring a half-century and taking at least one wicket in the same match. Yuvraj had achieved this feat three times, while Virat Kohli and Shivam Dube have done it twice each.
Pandya was deservedly named Player of the Match for his match-winning contribution.
Fifth all-rounder to reach elite T20I milestone
Hardik Pandya became only the fifth all-rounder in men’s T20I history to complete 2000 runs and 100 wickets, before him, Veerandeep Singh (Malaysia), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), and Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan).
What happened in the match?
After losing the toss, India posted a massive 231/8 in 20 overs. Tilak Varma (73), Hardik Pandya (63), Sanju Samson (37), and Abhishek Sharma (34) powered the total.
South Africa replied with 201/8, falling short by 30 runs. Quinton de Kock top-scored with 65, while Varun Chakravarthy starred with the ball, claiming four wickets. India sealed the five-match T20I series 3-1.
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