Hardik Pandya on Tuesday (December 9) produced a remarkable performance as India beat South Africa by 101 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series.
Batting, India were in all sorts of trouble after being reduced to 48/3 in the 7th over with Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav back in the hut. Even Tilak Varma and Axar Patel failed to hold their own with the bat as India found themselves reeling at 104/5 after 14 overs.
However, Hardik Pandya launched a stunning counter-attack and scored a blazing fifty to propel the hosts to a competitive total of 175/6. In his first outing for India since the Asia Cup, the star all-rounder scored an unbeaten 59 runs off just 28 balls. His knock was studded with six fours and four sixes.
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The score proved to be more than enough as India defeated South Africa by just 74 runs. The Proteas collapsed from 45/3 to 74 in 13 overs. This is now the lowest total ever recorded in the shortest format of the game. Dewald Brevis (22) was the only South African batter to reach the 20-run mark. For India, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel took two wickets each.
South African coach praises Hardik Pandya:
South Africa’s batting coach Ashwell Prince has praised Hardik Pandya for his impressive performance with the bat. The former Proteas batter pointed out that although Pandya is a six-hitter, he is also very experienced when it comes to identifying the right balls to attack. Prince also praised Pandya’s clarity when hitting sixes.
“Well, he’s a six-hitter, but he’s also calm. And I think identifying the right balls to attack… that comes with a lot of experience. As soon as the ball was in his strong areas, he gave it proper swing – no half measures. Most of the time, when Hardik hits it, he never hesitates. There is clarity in his thinking and there is clarity in his execution. It was an exceptional innings.” » Ashwell Prince said in the post-match press conference.
Clinical India looks to continue its impressive debut:
After the big win in the first T20I, the momentum is firmly on India’s side and they will look to make the most of it. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side will aim for another win when they take on South Africa in the second T20I. The next match is scheduled to be played on Thursday, December 11 at Mullanpur.
