South Africa coach made shocking comment about India’s all-rounder

Hardik Pandya produced a brilliant performance on Tuesday (December 9) as India defeated South Africa by 101 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series.

Batting first, India were in all kinds of trouble after being reduced to 48/3 in the 7th over as players like Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav were back in action. Even players like Tilak Verma and Axar Patel failed to perform well with the bat as India’s score read 104/5 after 14 overs.

However, Hardik Pandya mounted a brilliant counterattack and scored a blistering half-century to take the hosts to a competitive total of 175/6. In his first outing for India after the Asia Cup, the star all-rounder scored an unbeaten 59 off just 28 balls. His innings included six fours and four sixes.

Also read: Arshdeep Singh trolls Jasprit Bumrah after the fast bowler completes 100 T20I wickets

The score became very high as India bowled out South Africa for just 74 runs. The Proteas were reduced to 74 runs from 45/3 in 13 overs. This is now his lowest score ever in the shortest format of the game. Dewald Brewis (22) was the only South African batsman to reach the 20-run mark. Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakraborty and Axar Patel took two wickets each for India.

South Africa coach praised Hardik Pandya:

South Africa’s batting coach Ashwell Prince praised Hardik Pandya for his excellent performance with the bat. The former Proteas batsman highlighted that while Pandya is a six-hitter, he is also very experienced in identifying the right balls to attack. Prince also praised Pandya’s clarity while hitting sixes.

“Well, he is a six-hitter – but he is also calm. And I think identifying the right balls to attack… that comes with a lot of experience. As soon as the ball was in his strength zone, he took proper swing at it – no half measures. Most of the time when Hardik hits it, he is never tentative. There is clarity in his thinking, and there is clarity in his execution. It was an excellent innings,” Ashwell Prince said in the post-match press-conference.

Clinical India looks to continue impressive start:

After a big win in the first T20I, India are firmly in form and they would like to make the most of it. The Suryakumar Yadav-led team will be eyeing another win when they take on South Africa in the second T20 match. The next match is to be played on Thursday (December 11) in Mullanpur.