Pandya was returning after a rehabilitation period spent at the Centre of Excellence, but his rhythm was impeccable
Hardik Pandya once again proved he is one of the best power hitters in Indian cricket by scoring a scintillating 59* off just 28 balls, helping India post 175/6 on a double-paced track in Cuttack against South Africa.
India were in some trouble at 78/4 when Pandya arrived on the crease in the 12th over, but he began smashing as soon as he arrived and smacked Keshav Maharaj’s spin for two sixes.
However, the highlight of his innings remained his hitting against the pace of Anrich Nortje, who was bowling in excess of 145 kmph. Pandya’s down-the-ground shot, which he played after dancing down the track on a delivery bowled at almost 149 kmph, underlined his batting form.
Notably, he is coming after playing two games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which included a 77* off 42 against Punjab, which helped Baroda chase down a record total. That batting form reflected on the day as the rest of the Indian batters struggled to get going on a double-paced wicket where the slower deliveries were gripping in the surface.
In the innings, Pandya also reached the milestone of 100 sixes, becoming only the fourth Indian batter to do so. He is also just the second Indian batter after KL Rahul to hit a half-century in Cuttack.
100+ sixes for India in T20Is
205 – Rohit Sharma
155 – Suryakumar Yadav
124 – Virat Kohli
100* – Hardik Pandya
