Hardik Pandya made a remarkable comeback in the first T20 International against South Africa in Cuttack on December 9, 2025. After a 74-day hiatus due to a left quadricep injury, the ace all-rounder made an impactful return, scoring a crucial half-century that guided India to a score of 175/6.
Hardik Pandya’s Impressive Comeback
Pandya’s performance highlighted his resilience and skill. Coming in at No. 6, he took control of the innings, finishing with an unbeaten score of 59 off just 28 balls. His innings included six fours and four sixes, showcasing his aggressive batting style.
Significant Milestones Achieved
- Pandya recorded his sixth fifty in T20 internationals.
- With this innings, he became the fourth Indian player to hit 100 sixes in T20I history.
- He joins an elite list that includes Rohit Sharma (205 sixes), Suryakumar Yadav (155), and Virat Kohli (124).
Earlier in the innings, India faced difficulty, losing six wickets during the powerplay and middle overs. However, Pandya’s late assault changed the momentum. He started by hitting two sixes off bowler Keshav Maharaj and continued his aggressive approach by scoring 17 runs in one over against Anrich Nortje, which included a four off a 149 km/h delivery.
Final Overs Surge
The final overs saw Pandya push India’s score further, adding 53 runs in the last five overs. He reached his fifty in just 25 balls, concluding with a six over third man off Nortje in the final over. His performance not only helped India set a competitive target but also proved his fitness ahead of more matches.
As Pandya strengthens his position in T20 cricket, he now trails closely behind KL Rahul, who has 99 sixes. With his recent performance, fans and analysts alike look forward to seeing more from this talented all-rounder in future matches.
