 "India's Hardik Pandya plays a shot during the first T20 International cricket match between India and South Africa in Cuttack, India, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. AP")
The much anticipated return of Hardik Pandya in the Indian colours showed exactly why fans and the team management were so desperate to see him back in the side. The fast bowling all-rounder starred with the bat and then chipped in with the ball to grab the Player of the Match honour in the opening T20I of the series against South Africa in Cuttack on Tuesday.
Pandya played a stunning innings of 59 not out from just 28 deliveries to push India to an above-par total of 175/6 in 20 overs on a tricky pitch at the Barabati Stadium. Indian bowlers then wrapped South Africa’s innings just at 74 to complete a dominant 101-run victory . Pandya (1/16) also managed to take a wicket off his very first ball.
IND vs SA: ‘Sixes off Maharaj shifted momentum’
Indian top order failed with Abhishek Sharma (17), Shubman Gill (4) and Suryakumar Yadav (12) all falling for low scores . Tilak Varma (26) and Axar Patel (23) did put a partnership but the duo could not quite find boundaries.
India were 78-4 in 11.4 overs when Pandya walked into bat. The all-rounder then launched Keshav Maharaj for a couple of sixes in the very next over and that he said was a key moment in the game.
“I didn’t plan it that way, it was just that if it came into my arc, I wanted to go for it. He (Maharaj) took a chance and I took a chance. Mine was more calculated on that track, and it paid off. I think that gave us rhythm, gave us momentum that we capitalised on,” said Pandya after winning the Player of the Match award.
He also talked about his fitness journey after he was injured in the Asia Cup in September.
“I think the last six or seven months have been really amazing from a fitness standpoint,” he said. “I don’t make a big deal about the hard work that goes behind it, but at the same time, these last 50 days, being away from your loved ones, spending time at the NCA, making sure everything is covered. It’s very satisfying when you come here and the results follow.”
Quick Reads
View AllHe also said that he was very satisfied with how his batting came off after the injury layoff.
India and South Africa now play the second T20I of the five-match series in Mullanpur on Thursday, December 11.