Table of Contents
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya created history during the third T20I against South Africa at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, becoming the third Indian to claim 100 wickets in the format after Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah. Dismissing Tristan Stubbs in his opening over for figures of 1/23, Pandya joined an exclusive global club as the fourth player with over 1,000 runs, 100 sixes, and 100 wickets in T20Is, alongside Zimbabwe‘s Sikandar Raza, Afghanistan‘s Mohammed Nabi, and Malaysia‘s Virandeep Singh. This feat also marked him as the first fast-bowling all-rounder to achieve 1,000 runs and 100 wickets, underscoring his versatility with 1,939 runs at a strike rate of 141.53, including six fifties and 101 sixes, alongside a bowling average of 26.78 featuring three four-wicket hauls.
Mahieka Sharma shares heartfelt story as Hardik Pandya achieves T20I milestone
As celebrations erupted, Pandya’s girlfriend Mahieka Sharma took to Instagram Stories, hailing him with an outpouring of pride: “100 Baby. Rockstar, Legend, Hero!“—a heartfelt nod to his landmark achievement. Mahieka’s message resonated widely among fans, amplifying the personal joy behind Pandya’s professional triumph amid the high-stakes India-South Africa series. Earlier in the tour, Pandya had dedicated his match-winning 59 not out in the first T20I to her, calling her his biggest supporter, further cementing their bond in the public eye.
Also READ: Hardik Pandya and Mahieka Sharma exchange pleasantries after IND vs SA T20I series opener
India secures an emphatic win over South Africa at Dharamsala
India’s bowlers dominated after winning the toss and bowling first, restricting South Africa to 117 all out in 20 overs, with Aiden Markram‘s unbeaten 61 the lone resistance amid fiery spells from Arshdeep (2/13), Harshit Rana (2/34), Varun Chakravarthy (2/11), and Kuldeep Yadav (2 wickets). Abhishek Sharma‘s explosive 25 off 18 balls set the chase alight, enabling India to secure a seven-wicket victory in 15.5 overs and reclaim a 2-1 series lead following their 101-run win in the opener and a 51-run loss in the second match. Pandya’s milestone not only bolstered India’s campaign in the five-match series but highlighted his resurgence post-injury, positioning him as a cornerstone for upcoming white-ball challenges.
This blend of on-field excellence and off-field support has fuelled narratives around Pandya’s career trajectory, drawing parallels to his explosive IPL contributions and T20 World Cup heroics. With two more T20Is ahead in Lucknow and beyond, Pandya’s form promises fireworks, blending power-hitting, seam bowling, and leadership for India’s T20I ambitions.
Also READ: Hardik Pandya slams paparazzi for capturing a derogatory video of his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma
