India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya made history during the third T20I against South Africa, achieving significant milestones in T20 cricket. The match took place at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
Pandya became the first fast-bowling all-rounder to reach the double of scoring 1,000 T20 runs and taking 100 wickets in the format. He is the fourth all-rounder overall to achieve this feat, with the prior three—Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Nabi, and Sikandar Raza—all being spinners. This accomplishment came after Pandya secured his 100th wicket, having already surpassed the 1,000-run mark in T20 international cricket.
In addition, with his 100th wicket—taking out Tristan Stubbs—Pandya reached another significant milestone. He is not only the first Indian but also just the fourth player globally to achieve the rare triple of over 1,000 runs, 100 wickets, and 100 sixes in T20I history. He joins the ranks of Raza, Nabi, and Virandeep Singh in this exclusive club.
In the match itself, India comfortably chased down South Africa’s total. Abhishek Sharma set the tone with an aggressive 18-ball 35. While other players initially struggled to maintain the scoring rate, the early runs helped India secure a straightforward victory. Shubman Gill contributed with a run-a-ball 28, while Tilak Varma added an unbeaten 25 off 34 balls. Captain Suryakumar Yadav had a modest innings, scoring 12 runs off 11 balls before being dismissed. Shivam Dube concluded the match with an unbeaten 10 runs from just four balls, finishing with a six and a four off Ottneil Baartman.
