Hardik Pandya produced a sensational batting display in the fifth T20I against South Africa, racing to a breathtaking half-century at a strike rate close to 340 and leaving the Proteas bowlers searching for answers at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Walking in during the middle overs, Hardik immediately took control of the innings. His assault reached a peak in the 16th over, when he tore into Corbin Bosch with a sequence of cleanly struck boundaries and towering sixes. Bosch failed to execute his yorkers consistently, allowing Hardik — who was standing deep in his crease — to get under the ball and hammer it straight down the ground and over deep mid-wicket.
The over yielded 21 runs, including two sixes and a four, as Hardik showcased effortless power and precise bat swing. Moments later, he brought up his fifty with another six to deep mid-wicket, reaching the milestone in just 16 deliveries.
At 16.5 overs, India surged to 195 for 3, with Hardik unbeaten on 54 off 16 balls, smashing five sixes and four boundaries, while Tilak Varma provided solid support with a fluent 60. The pair added quick runs in the death overs, accelerating India’s scoring rate sharply in the final phase.
Hardik’s innings underlined his role as India’s primary enforcer in the middle and death overs, combining fearless intent with controlled aggression as India pushed towards a formidable total.