On December 10 in New Delhi (LatestNewsX), former India cricketer Robin Uthappa praised Hardik Pandya for an unforgettable all‑round effort, which helped the team clinch a 101‑run win in the first T20I against South Africa after Pandya returned from injury.
Pandya finished unbeaten on 59 runs off just 28 balls, then delivered two overs of bowling, taking one wicket for 16 runs.
India’s decisive victory set a strong tone for the series. The Proteas collapsed early under the Men in Blue’s aggressive attack, and their innings never gained traction. At Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, the pitch challenged everyone, yet Pandya seemed to thrive in the conditions.
“Here comes a guy returning from a break after an injury, and it doesn’t even feel like he’s been away. From ball one, it looked like he had never left. The first ball was a six, the third ball was a six, and he raced to a 24‑ball fifty. Then he came on to bowl and picked up wickets again, including the crucial one of David Miller, a batter he has dismissed several times,” Uthappa said.
Uthappa called Pandya an “out-and-out match-winner” and emphasized how the all‑rounder’s balance is unmatched in any side.
“For me, he is an out-and-out match-winner, someone who will be integral to India’s success at the World Cup or in any T20 format, whether for India, in the IPL, or in white‑ball cricket overall. He brings balance no one else offers. And after a long time, India had Hardik playing alongside another fast‑bowling all‑rounder in Shivam Dube, which is rare for India,” he added.
With India firing across all departments and key players hitting their form at the right times, the opening T20I served as an early reminder that they will be among the favorites when the T20 World Cup comes around in 2026.
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