Ahmedabad, Gujarat - In a thrilling display of power-hitting, Hardik Pandya etched his name in the record books by smashing the second-fastest T20I fifty for India against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday. Pandya's explosive innings, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls, helped propel India to a formidable total in the series decider.
South Africa won the toss and opted to field first. India's innings began strongly with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma providing a rapid start, putting on 54 runs for the opening stand. Sharma was dismissed for 34, and Tilak Varma joined Samson at the crease to continue the momentum. After Samson fell for 37, Suryakumar Yadav's stay was brief, and Pandya strode to the crease with India at 120/3.
Pandya wasted no time in asserting his dominance. According to one source, he hit a six over long-off on the very first ball he faced. He then launched an assault on George Linde, smashing two sixes and two fours in one over. He continued his onslaught, targeting Corbin Bosch and reaching his fifty with a six over deep midwicket. His innings included five sixes and four fours.
Pandya's pyrotechnics propelled him to a 16-ball half-century, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20Is. Only Yuvraj Singh's 12-ball fifty against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup stands ahead of him. Previously, Abhishek Sharma held the second spot with a 17-ball fifty against England earlier this year. KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav have also recorded 18-ball fifties for India.
Pandya eventually finished with 63 runs off 25 balls, forming a formidable partnership with Tilak Varma, who also played a scintillating innings of 73 runs. Their 105-run partnership ensured India reached a commanding total of 231/5 in their 20 overs.
In addition to his batting exploits, Pandya also achieved another milestone during the series, becoming the third Indian bowler to reach 100 wickets in men's T20Is. He reached the mark in the third T20I against South Africa.
Pandya had returned to the Indian team in the first T20I after recovering from a quadriceps injury sustained during the Asia Cup. In that match, he scored a quickfire 59 off 28 balls.
