Updated on: Dec 20, 2025 10:02 am IST
Hardik Pandya scored 63 runs off 25 balls in the fifth and closing T20I in opposition to South Africa on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Hardik Pandya, 32, was at his absolute handiest in opposition to South Africa in the fifth and closing T20I in opposition to South Africa on the Narendra Modi Stadium as he blasted 63 runs off 25 balls with five boundaries and as many maximums, serving to the hosts put up 231 runs on the board. No longer true the bat, Hardik confirmed his utility with the ball as properly, disregarding the threat man Dewald Brevis and developing India’s win by 30 runs. Hardik came out all weapons firing as he hit the gap ball he faced for a most off the bowling of Corbin Bosch.
Talking after the win in Ahmedabad, put up the Participant of the Match accolade, Hardik published that it felt care for it “was his day,” and this led him to exclaim his female friend, Maheika Sharma, and the remainder of his teammates that he would strive to hit the most most significant ball he faced for a six. And here’s precisely what came about.
The whirlwind knock saw Hardik registering the 2d-quickest fifty by an Indian in T20Is, handiest in the aid of Yuvraj Singh.
Also Read: ‘Entirely chuffed Yuvraj Singh holds it’: Hardik Pandya’s selfless confession after missing India’s quickest T20I half-century file
“I had suggested my teammates and my partner earlier in the day that I was going to step out on the most most significant ball itself and rob a stare upon to hit it for a six. I felt that it was my day. I was confident it might per chance per chance reach off,” Hardik talked about at some level of the put up-match presentation.
“I create no longer play cricket to win Participant of the Match awards. I’ve forever played to win video games for my nation,” he added.
It’s price mentioning that Hardik’s female friend was seen in the stands for the fifth T20I, and after citing his half-century, the all-rounder blew flying kisses in the route of Maheika.
‘Tell suited my style’
No longer true Bosch, Hardik dished out the same treatment to George Linde, hitting him for 20 runs in four balls in the 14th over.
Talking about batting in opposition to Linde, Hardik talked about, “He bowled properly to me in Recent Chandigarh, and that stayed in my mind. This present day, the instruct suited my style. I took a calculated threat, backed myself, and it labored. Irrespective of how many setbacks you face, or no longer it’s about coming aid stronger. The high-tail, the preparation and the arduous work never stop.”
In the four matches he played in opposition to South Africa in the five-sport series, Hardik scored 142 runs, with two fifties. With the ball, he returned with three wickets as properly.
