IND vs SA | Twitter awestruck as Pandya raises swag quotient with unbelievable hit to reach half-century

‌India were placed at a precarious position after South Africa opted to bowl in the first T20I at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday. The home side were tottering at 78/4 in the 12th over, when Hardik Pandya walked into the middle.

The all-rounder, who was returning from injury, wasted no time smashing a six off Keshav Maharaj in only his second ball. The Mumbai Indians skipper took India out of the hole with a counter-attacking knock to take the side to 163/6 at the end of the penultimate over.

And he saved the best for the last, taking on Anrich Nortje with panache and using his pace to good effect. As the pacer banged in one short just around off stump in the second ball of the 20th, the batter just stood there and ramped it over the third man for an unbelievable six.

The reaction was even better, as he gave the bowler a cold stare, who looked in disbelief. That shot also brought up a 25-ball half-century, powering India to 175/6, as the all-rounder announced his arrival from injury in style.

Twitter was thrilled to see what Pandya does best, clearing the boundaries with swag, and enjoying the cheers of ‘Hardik, Hardik’ to the fullest.

Shot!

THE MOMENT OF RESCUE! 👑



That sensational six from Hardik Pandya, which you captured on video, marked his blazing half-century off just 25 balls!



It was the most important 50 of the innings, saving India from collapse... 

— Boundary Bro (@BoundaryBro) 

Huge!

Hardik Pandya hit it & walked off no need to check. Man knew it was a six 💥 

— BhagatSingh (@Bhagatsingh289) 

Fifty!

Hardik Pandya: 50 in crisis, 100th T20I six, India 175/6! Minimal risk, maximum destruction on comeback. What a player! 👊🇮🇳       

— PRAVEEN SRIVASTAVA (@pkspks2911) 

Six!

Hardik pandya ne bahut acchi batting ki sannatedar 6 six mara



TWITTER HAS THE LIKE BUTTON

CELEBRTE FIFTY BY HARDIK PANDYA AGAINST SOUTH ,

AFRICA IN 1ST T20l.



Tap ♥️ to check

#INDvSA#HardikPandya 

— Sushil Singh yadav (@SushilY37233769) 

Coldest!

COLDEST PICTURE OF THE DAY. 🥶

What a Six by Hardik Pandya🔥 

— Aditya Saundarya 🏹 (@Kuch_lafz_) 

Clutch Pandya!

Where other batters struggled to hit even a single six, Hardik Pandya came and smashed 59 off just 28 balls, This is clutch god hardik pandya for you 🥵🔥 

— meme_universe (@memer_baba99) 

100 Sixes!

Hardik pandya complete,1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Six in T20 cricket. 

— CRICZONE (@Satendrapal7080) 

Pandya!

HARDIK PANDYA SMASHES HIS 100th SIX IN T20Is! 💥🔥



The Finishe KungFu Pandya is HERE!  

— Mahiii 🎀 (@Mahiiilakra) 

Hard Hit Pandya!

Four sixes. Six fours. Clutch. Hardik Pandya. Aura. A brutal player who gives the middle order real backbone. Bet otherwise!? 🥶 

— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) 

Comeback!

Where other batters struggled to score runs and hit even a single six, then came Hardik Pandya who smashed an unbeaten 59* off just 28 balls. 🥶🔥



He once again shows why he's the MVP of India in white-ball cricket. 👏🫡   

— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01)