Cuttack: Hardik Pandya’s sparkling knock in the first T20I against South Africa wowed a capacity crowd of 46,000-plus at Barabati Stadium here on Tuesday evening.

The allrounder, returning to the Team India playing XI after two-and-a-half months, rescued India on a tricky pitch with a stunning unbeaten 59 off 28 balls (6×4, 4×6). Reduced to 17/2, and then 78/4, Hardik’s electrifying strokeplay lifted India to 175/6. ADVERTISEMENT

Hardik, who announced his intention with two sixes in his first four balls off spinner Keshav Maharaj, completed 100 overboundaries in T20I cricket.

MAXIMUMS x 2⃣! 🔥

Hardik Pandya announces his arrival to the crease in style 😎

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/tiemfwcNPh #TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @hardikpandya7 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/dMCrGJDP4T

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