 "Hardik Pandya's rumoured girlfriend Mahieka Sharma was also present in the stands. Image: AFP")
Hardik Pandya produced a stunning display of power-hitting in the fifth T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Friday, leaving fans in awe with one of the most explosive innings of his career.
Coming in the middle overs, Hardik completely changed the momentum of the innings with a breathtaking 63 off just 25 balls. He smashed five fours and as many sixes, striking at an unbelievable rate of 252, as India piled up a massive 231 for five.
The highlight of Hardik’s knock came when he reached his fifty in just 16 balls, making it the second-fastest fifty by an Indian in T20 internationals. Only Yuvraj Singh’s iconic 12-ball fifty in the 2007 World Cup remains ahead of him on the list.
Fastest fifties for India in T20Is
| Balls | Player | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Yuvraj Singh | England | Durban | 2007 (WC) |
| 16 | Hardik Pandya | South Africa | Ahmedabad | 2025 |
| 17 | Abhishek Sharma | England | Wankhede | 2025 |
| 18 | KL Rahul | Scotland | Dubai | 2021 |
| 18 | Suryakumar Yadav | South Africa | Guwahati | 2022 |
One shot in particular summed up Hardik’s dominance. Facing Corbin Bosch, he flicked a near-perfect yorker over mid-wicket for a flat six to bring up his fifty, drawing loud cheers from a packed Narendra Modi Stadium. The crowd rose to its feet as Hardik acknowledged them with a raised bat and flying kisses.
Social media exploded as soon as Hardik went into attack mode. Fans described him as a “beast” and “the best in the world.”
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View AllHardik was eventually dismissed on 63, picking out a fielder in the deep, but by then the damage was already done. His knock ensured India finished strongly, with Tilak Varma scoring a brilliant 73 and Shivam Dube adding late blows.