Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is on the brink of creating a historic milestone as India take on South Africa in the second T20I of the five-match series in Mullanpur. After a match-winning performance
in the Cuttack opener, the Indian all-rounder stands just one wicket away from an unprecedented achievement , one that no Indian has managed in the history of T20Is.
The Men in Blue began the series brilliantly, securing a 101-run victory in Cuttack despite losing the toss on a dew-affected surface. The conditions initially looked challenging for batting, but Pandya single-handedly lifted India to a strong total. His all-round brilliance guided the team to a dominant win and put the hosts 1-0 ahead in the series.
The second match will be played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, where the Suryakumar Yadav-led team will look to extend their lead. The 32-year-old currently has 99 wickets in T20Is, and if he claims one more in the second match, he will become the first Indian cricketer ever to achieve the double of 1000 plus runs and 100 wickets in this format.
Hardik to join elite list of all-rounders
Globally, this feat has been accomplished by only four players, including Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Nabi, Sikandar Raza, and Malaysia’s Virandeep Singh. Hardik has already amassed 1,919 runs in the format and recently became only the fourth Indian to hit 100 T20I sixes.
In the series opener in Cuttack, he hammered an unbeaten 59 off 28 balls, laced with six boundaries and four sixes. He first took on Keshav Maharaj with two no-look sixes, and later dominated the pacers, ensuring India collected 30 runs in the final two overs. Hardik’s knock also made him the fourth Indian to hit 100 T20I sixes. With the ball, he chipped in with the wicket of David Miller, contributing to South Africa’s collapse for just 74 runs, their lowest T20I total. His all-round display earned him the Player of the Match award.
