Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa lavished praise on Hardik Pandya after the Suryakumar Yadav-led side's dominating 101-run win against South Africa in the first T20I at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Hardik, who was out of the cricketing action since the Asia Cup 2025, made his India comeback with an all-round performance, helping India defeat South Africa by 101 runs in the series opener.
He scored a blistering, unbeaten 28-ball 59 to lift India to 175 for 6 before taking the key wicket of David Miller with the ball. Notably, Hardik came to bat after India's top batting order collapsed, and he didn't bowl in the powerplay overs.
Robin Uthappa for Hardik Pandya
Uthappa is a three-time IPL winner, featuring for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) labelled Hardik as the 'out-and-out match-winner for India.
"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," Uthappa said on Jio Star.
"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.
Hardik's century of sixes
With his fiery knock, Hardik completed 100 sixes in the shortest format of the game, and with that, he became the fourth Indian player to hit 100 or more maximums in the shortest format. The all-rounder has surpassed KL Rahul on the elite list and now has hit exactly 100 sixes in T20Is. He joins the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli as the only players to achieve the feat.
India vs South Africa 2nd T20I
The second T20I between India and South Africa will take place on December 11 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.