Hardik Pandya produced a breathtaking counter-attacking knock to rescue India’s innings in the first T20I against South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Walking in at a tense stage, Pandya shifted gears instantly and brought up a superb fifty in just 25 balls, keeping India alive in the contest almost single-handedly.
India found themselves under pressure early on after losing key wickets in clusters, but Pandya’s intent changed the flow of the innings. The all-rounder mixed clean striking with clever placement, hammering five fours and four sixes, including a towering blow off Anrich Nortje in the 19th over which brought up his half-century.
At the 19.2-over mark, India moved to 169/6, with Pandya unbeaten on 54 off 25 balls at a strike rate of 216. His partnership with Jitesh Sharma injected much-needed momentum, adding 32 runs off just 13 deliveries.
With 63 runs coming in the last five overs, largely due to Pandya’s fireworks, India managed to build a competitive total despite a stuttering start. As the innings heads into the final over, all eyes remain on Pandya’s finishing touch to push India past the 180-run mark.
