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Hardik Pandya became the primary Indian men’s player to attain a fifty and take a wicket in 4 T20Is, surpassing Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, and Shivam Dube in Ahmedabad.
Hardik Pandya has etched his name into the history.
(PC: AFP)
Hardik Pandya on Friday (December 19) became the primary men’s player in India’s history to attain a fifty and take a minimum of a wicket in 4 T20Is. He went past Yuvraj Singh (3), Virat Kohli (2), and Shivam Dube (2) within the record list in India’s 30-run win over South Africa on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
In the primary innings, Pandya produced a shocking display of power-hitting to script the second-fastest half-century by an Indian in T20Is, reaching the landmark in only 16 balls. Only Yuvraj’s iconic 12-ball fifty from the 2007 T20 World Cup stays quicker.
Pandya walked in at 115/3 after India lost Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession and immediately shifted momentum with an aggressive assault, especially on Corbin Bosch. He eventually fell for 63 off 25 balls, striking five fours and five sixes.
Earlier, Samson and Abhishek Sharma added 63 at the highest before Tilak Varma, and Pandya stitched a 105-run stand, propelling India to a commanding 231/5.
The second innings was a bit tougher for Pandya. He was hit for 19 runs in his first over by Dewald Brevis and Quinton de Kock, with the duo smashing three fours and a six.
Nonetheless, Jasprit Bumrah reduced the pressure on him from the opposite end by getting de Kock out. Pandya continued his spell and bowled a bumper first as much as Brevis who holed it out to deep square leg.
“Winning games is what you play for and it’s at all times exciting when your contribution helps the team recover from the road,” Pandya said after the match. “No, I actually didn’t know (he has the second fastest fifty for India) until I got out and went back. My first response was, ‘Ah, I missed the highest spot!’ But comfortable that Yuvi pa holds that record. Today I just felt it. I actually told my partner beforehand that I used to be going to step out first ball and take a look at to hit it for six. I used to be confident it might come off. The situation suited my style; I backed myself and it worked. I took a calculated risk and thankfully it went my way. I’ve at all times enjoyed the challenge. Irrespective of what number of setbacks you face, the aim is to return back stronger, higher, and make an even bigger impact. When all of it comes together, it feels satisfying. However the journey continues – the preparation, the planning, the exertions never stops.”
December 19, 2025, 23:45 IST
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