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Hardik Pandya Joins India's Elite 100-Six Club Amid Cuttack Heroics

Hardik Pandya just smashed his way into an exclusive club. By hitting his 100th T20I six against South Africa, he joined only Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Virat Kohli as Indians to reach that mark. His unbeaten 59 was the backbone of India's total, completely shifting the game's momentum. The bowlers then finished the job, securing a massive 101-run win to start the series.

Key Points: Hardik Pandya Joins Rohit, Suryakumar, Kohli in 100 T20I Sixes Club

  • Hardik Pandya scored a crucial 59* off 28 balls to rescue India's innings in Cuttack
  • He became the 4th Indian to hit 100 T20I sixes, joining Rohit, Suryakumar, and Kohli
  • India's bowlers then secured a dominant 101-run victory in the first T20I
  • Rohit Sharma leads the all-time Indian sixes list with 205, followed by Suryakumar Yadav
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Hardik joins Rohit, Suryakumar and Kohli in India's 100-sixes club in T20Is

Hardik Pandya smashes his 100th T20I six, joining Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Virat Kohli in an elite club after a match-winning knock vs South Africa.

"Walking in when India were in a tricky situation, Pandya rescued the innings with a blistering unbeaten 59 off just 28 deliveries. - Match Report"

Cuttack, December 9

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya added another milestone to his T20I career as he became only the fourth Indian batter to clear the hundred-sixes mark for the country. The milestone came during the first T20I against South Africa at Cuttack's Barabati Stadium, where Pandya produced a match-changing knock under pressure.

Walking in when India were in a tricky situation, Pandya rescued the innings with a blistering unbeaten 59 off just 28 deliveries. His counterattacking effort featured six fours and four sixes, helping India post a competitive total of 175/6. At a time when wickets were falling at regular intervals, Pandya made batting look remarkably easy and shifted the momentum back in India's favour.

With this innings, Pandya took his tally of T20I sixes for India to 100, joining Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli as the only Indian players to reach the landmark. Rohit leads the list with 205, followed by Suryakumar Yadav with 155 and Virat Kohli with 124. Pandya is now fourth, ahead of KL Rahul, who has 99 sixes.

India's total of 175 eventually proved more than enough as the bowlers delivered a commanding performance to secure a 101-run victory and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each, while Pandya contributed with the ball as well, returning figures of 1/16 in two overs. Shivam Dube wrapped up the innings by dismissing the final batter, Lutho Sipamla, sealing a dominant win for the hosts.

India will look to carry this momentum forward as the series progresses, with Pandya once again proving his value as a genuine match-winner with both bat and ball.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan living in India, it's incredible to see the depth of power-hitting talent. Rohit, SKY, Kohli, and now Hardik. Each brings a different style. Hardik's ability to do this coming in at 5 or 6 is what makes him so special for the balance of the team.
R
Rohit P
Fantastic achievement, but let's not forget the bowlers! 101-run victory is massive. Arshdeep and Bumrah were on fire. A complete team performance, which is what we need building up to the World Cup.
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Priyanka N
Respectfully, while celebrating Hardik's sixes, we should also talk about consistency. Sometimes he goes quiet for a few matches. Hope this milestone gives him the confidence to deliver these match-winning knocks more regularly. The team needs him at his best.
V
Vikram M
The way he took on the attack when we were 81/4... that's the Pandya we love! He just has that X-factor. Also, KL Rahul on 99 sixes now 😅 the race is on!
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Michael C
Watching from the US, the power-hitting in modern cricket is insane. Hardik's strike rate in that innings was over 210! The game has evolved so much. Congrats to him on joining an elite Indian club.

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