Hardik Pandya: Bringing his best once again
Hardik Pandya: Bringing his best once again
Hardik Pandya reminded everyone why he is one of India’s most valuable cricketers. In a match where most batters struggled to even survive, Pandya produced an innings that was not just powerful but match-winning.
The pitch was difficult uneven bounce, sharp seam movement, and a surface that tested every batter’s patience. Yet Pandya looked completely in control. He smashed an unbeaten 59 runs off 28 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 210. His innings stood out so much that the second-highest score in the match was less than half of his.
Former coach Ravi Shastri summed it up perfectly: “Back in the side and back with a bang.” Pandya’s knock lifted India to 175 for 7, a total that looked impossible when the team was struggling at 48 for 3. Captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted, “We thought 160 was realistic, but 175 was unbelievable.”
The target proved far too much for South Africa. On the same tricky pitch, their batters had no answers to India’s bowlers. They were bowled out for just 74 runs in 12.3 overs, giving India a massive 101-run victory.
South Africa’s batting coach Ashwell Prince praised Pandya’s clarity and calmness:
“He’s a six-hitter, but he’s also calm. He knows which balls to attack. There’s no half measures his thinking and execution are clear. It was an outstanding innings.”
Pandya began his assault with two sixes off spinner Keshav Maharaj, then took on the pacers Anrich Nortje and Lutho Sipamla. His off-side play was especially impressive two clean hits over mid-off and a sharp upper cut off Nortje to reach his fifty, which brought the crowd to its feet.
After the match, Pandya explained his approach: “The wicket had spice. You had to be brave. It was more about timing than power. I was happy with how I batted.”
He was named Player of the Match, a fitting reward for his comeback performance.
Pandya had been out of action for two months due to a quadriceps injury suffered before the Asia Cup final. He spent 50 days at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, focusing on recovery and fitness. “It’s tough being away from family, but it feels good when the hard work pays off,” he said.
Pandya didn’t stop with the bat. He bowled two overs of medium pace and dismissed David Miller, showing his all-round ability. Former India coach Sanjay Bangar highlighted his importance:
“There’s no replacement for players like him. He can be in the team as a batter alone or as a bowler alone. That’s what makes him special.”
This performance was a reminder of what India had been missing. Pandya’s ability to change a game with both bat and ball makes him irreplaceable. With the World Cup approaching, India will hope he stays fit and in rhythm, because when Hardik Pandya is at his best, he can win matches single-handedly.