Pandya blitz powers India to T20 win
Pandya blitz powers India to T20 win: Hardik Pandya didn’t just return to the Indian jersey; he detonated in it. In a merciless display of all-round power, his ferocious, unbeaten 59 from just 28 balls set the stage for India’s crushing 101-run victory over South Africa in the T20 series opener.
The Phoenix Act: Pandya’s Onslaught
With India wobbling at 78-4, the stage was tailor-made for a comeback hero. Pandya, playing his first international since a September injury. Walked out and instantly declared war on the bowling.
He smashed two sixes off Keshav Maharaj in a statement of intent, single-handedly propelling India to a formidable 175-6. His blitz, combined with a crucial 30-run final flourish alongside Jitesh Sharma, left South Africa shell-shocked.
The Collapse: South Africa Implode
The Proteas’ chase never began. Arshdeep Singh’s lethal new-ball spell removed Quinton de Kock for a duck and Tristan Stubbs. Any flicker of resistance from Aiden Markram (14) and Dewald Brevis (22) was swiftly extinguished by Axar Patel and, fittingly, Pandya himself. Who dismissed the dangerous David Miller with his very first ball.
Spin wizard Varun Chakravarthy tightened the noose, and Jasprit Bumrah’s double-strike—which included his 100th T20I wicket—sealed the rout. South Africa were bundled out for a paltry 74, their lowest-ever T20I total.
The Bigger Picture: A World Cup Blueprint
While the return of captain Shubman Gill from injury was short-lived. The night belonged to Pandya. This wasn’t just a win; it was a dominant declaration of intent as India fine-tunes its machinery for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The comprehensive nature of the victory, built on Pandya’s explosive return and clinical bowling, sends a thunderous message.
*India leads the five-match series 1-0. The teams now head to New Chandigarh for the second T20I on Thursday.*
