Cameraman who got hit by Hardik Pandya's first-ball six says, 'Thoda upar niche gira hota to...'; watch video

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya played a carnage-filled knock in the fifth and final T20I of the series against South Africa. Pandya did not take any time to settle and hit a first-ball six to announce his arrival at the crease. But, Pandya’s clean hit off the first ball he faced hit the camera person outside the long-off boundary. The cameraperson was not focusing on the ball as it hit him on the left arm. He got immediate medical intention from the Indian medical staff. During the innings break, Pandya checked on him and the two shared a huge.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a video of the cameraperson and Pandya talking about the incident.

“Thoda upar niche gira hota to... upar (Had it hit me a little above or below, I would’ve been a goner),” the cameraperson said.

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Pandya was relieved that it did not hit him anywhere else. He feels that the cameraperson was lucky.

“God was with me as well that it did not go anywhere above that. It hit him at a place where... it will be bruised tomorrow. He is a very lucky man. I'm very grateful that it did not go higher,” the ‘Player of the match’ said.

The cameraperson got a call as well. He could be heard asking, “Kaisa pata chala? Dekha tune? Shoulder pe gira. Tension nahi hai. (How do you know? You watched it? It landed on the shoulder. Nothing to worry about.)”

Team India's head physiotherapist, Kamlesh Jain, was also relieved that the ball hit the cameraperson on the muscle.

“We are generally used to running on the field. treating our players. But, today was an interesting day. The cameraman got hit. Thankfully, just on the muscle part, nothing on the joint which is good,” Jain said.

Pandya revealed he has seen the cameraperson since he started his career. He apologised to him for the incident.

“Just thought I would say sorry and check in on him,” the 32-year-old said. “I've seen him around all the time throughout my 10 years of cricket. I keep saying 'hi' to him. I'm very happy that it did not hit anywhere else.”

Pandya’s all-round show

Walking in to bat at no.5, Pandya hit five sixes and as many fours in his 23-ball 65. He reached his fifty from just 16 balls, the second-fastest for India in T20Is. The first spot belongs to Yuvraj Singh with a 12-ball fifty against England in T20 World Cup 2007. With the ball, he was expensive. The pacer conceded 41 runs from three overs but got the prized wicket of Dewald Brevis in the 12th over of the innings.