Hardik Pandya completes 100 T20I sixes with half-century against SA
What's the story
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya powered India with his blistering knock in the 1st T20I against South Africa at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. Hardik, playing his first international since September this year, hammered a 28-ball 59*. His power-packed knock powered India, who were down to 78/4 at one stage, to 175/6 in 20 overs. With this, the Indian all-rounder also completed 100 sixes in T20I cricket.
Knock
Hardik powers India in Cuttack
Hardik, returning to the T20I XI after recovering from his injury, single-handedly bolstered India in the innings's second half. He came in when India were tottering on 78/4 in the 12th over, with a set Tilak Varma (26) departing. Hardik stepped up and played a major role in his stands with Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, and Jitesh Sharma.
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Hardik shines on sticky wicket
On a sticky surface where the other Indian batters struggled, Hardik hammered 2 sixes and 2 fours in the last two overs. His unbeaten 59 (28) was studded with 6 fours and 4 sixes. Hardik's strike rate of 210.71 was also the highest for India.
Milestone
Century of T20I sixes for Hardik
With this fourth, Hardik completed 100 sixes in T20I cricket. According to ESPNcricinfo, he became the fourth Indian to achieve this feat, joining Rohit Sharma (205), Suryakumar Yadav (155), and Virat Kohli (124). Hardik also has 146 fours to his name in the format. In 121 T20Is (95 innings), he has raced to 1,919 runs at 28.22 (SR: 142.46). He completed his sixth half-century.
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Hardik's one-man show
According to Cricbuzz, all Indian batters other than Hardik scored a combined 103 off 92 balls against South Africa in Cuttack. Their combined strike rate reads 111.95. Notably, Hardik had a control percentage of 82.