During the fifth T20I match between India and South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, Hardik Pandya accidentally struck a cameraman with a powerful six. The incident occurred in the 13th over when Pandya, facing his first ball from Corbin Bosch, launched a lofted drive over mid-off. The ball traveled at pace and hit the cameraman, named Rajesh, on the arm. He was focusing on the Indian dugout and was unaware of the incoming shot.

The immediate aftermath saw concern from the Indian team, including coach Gautam Gambhir, and medical staff rushed to attend to the injured cameraman. An ice pack was applied to the affected area, which quickly turned red from the impact. While play was briefly paused, the cameraman was able to continue working.

Pandya's innings was explosive, as he reached his half-century in just 16 balls, the second-fastest T20I fifty for India. He ended the match with 63 runs off 25 balls, helping India post a total of 231/5. After reaching his half-century, Pandya blew flying kisses towards his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, who was present in the VIP stands.

However, it was Pandya's gesture after the innings that truly captured attention. Witnesses reported that Pandya personally went to check on the cameraman, Rajesh, to inquire about his well-being. He was seen applying an ice pack to the cameraman's arm and hugging him. This act of concern and sportsmanship resonated with fans and was widely shared on social media. The cameraman's reaction to Pandya's gesture was described as priceless, demonstrating the impact of the cricketer's compassion.

The incident highlighted the risks faced by broadcast crew positioned close to the boundary during high-intensity matches. This isn't the first time a cameraman has been injured during a cricket match. In a Gujarat Titans vs. Rajasthan Royals IPL match in 2023, a cameraman was hit on the head by a shot from Trent Boult, leading Hardik Pandya to donate 2 lakh rupees to the injured individual.