News Cuttack – Returning to international duty after a two-month lay-off with a quadriceps problem, Hardik Pandya strolled in at 78 for 4 and left with South Africa effectively beaten. His unbeaten 59 from 28 balls – four effortless sixes, plenty of clean drives – dragged India to a competitive 175 for 6 on a surface that looked half-asleep. Later, the all-rounder winkled out David Miller and reminded everyone why a fit Hardik is so handy when the ball’s in his hand as well.
Earlier, most of India’s top order had fought the pitch and lost. Abhishek Sharma was doubled over by a Marco Jansen inducker that stopped in the tacky surface and thudded into his ribs. Tilak Varma wafted, missed, and walked. Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav spooned straightforward catches, both defeated by the lack of pace. The outfield wasn’t exactly quick either; it felt, at times, like two steps forward and one back.
Then Hardik appeared and, somehow, he was batting on a different strip. The first four balls he faced produced two no-look sixes. Dale Steyn, on commentary, admitted he was “frightened for his life”. Anrich Nortje, steaming in at 149 kph, disappeared straight back past his boots; the next short ball was nonchalantly ramped over deep third to bring up Hardik’s 100th six in men’s T20Is. Only Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar and Virat Kohli have reached that mark for India before him.
“I mean, I had to back my shots,” Hardik said after collecting the Player-of-the-Match award. “At the same point of time, I realised that the wicket had a bit of spice. I had to be a little bit gutsy and it was more about timing the ball and not trying to break the ball. Yeah, I was very satisfied with the way I was batting.”
With the bat firmly in the bag, Hardik’s first over with the ball made life even harder for the tourists. Miller, promoted to inject some steel into the reply, nibbled behind via the inside edge for one. From there the wheels came off: South Africa were bundled out for 74, their lowest total in men’s T20Is. Jasprit Bumrah nipped away the top, Arshdeep Singh jagged the old ball at the toes, and Varun Chakravarthy found enough grip to look twice as menacing as the scoreboard suggested.
“As a cricketer, I don’t think I have ever been fussy about what roles I have in the game,” Hardik noted later. “I’ve always been very motivated all the time to make sure that it does not matter what Hardik Pandya wants; it matters what India wants. And whenever I get opportunities, I come and try to do my best.”
That mindset gives the selectors options. On days like this, India can bat down to No. 8 without sacrificing bowling depth: Hardik the seam-bowling all-rounder allows three other attacking quicks – Bumrah, Arshdeep and, tonight, an energetic Mukesh Kumar – or a wrist-spinner if conditions suit. When pitches get older and drier deeper into the season, Kuldeep Yadav could trade places with a seamer and Hardik can take the new ball.
Aakash Chopra, watching on, asked the obvious question: why did it feel like Hardik alone was playing on a different pitch? The short answer is timing – that still head, that smooth swing. The wider answer is fitness. For eighteen months India have managed his workload gingerly; every time he returns at full tilt, the side looks less vulnerable.
Yes, the surface in Cuttack was damp, even two-paced, and South Africa will argue the overheads cleared just enough for batting to ease in the chase. Even so, none of their top order found the rope more than twice; Hardik cleared it four times on his own. That’s the gap.
Second T20I is in Guwahati on Friday. If Hardik pulls up fine, he plays, and India’s balance looks as settled as it has all year. Not bad for a man who, two months ago, could barely jog up a flight of stairs.
