Hardik Pandya who has been out of international circuit since the Asia Cup injury came back in style and produced a breathtaking counter-attacking knock to rescue India’s innings in the first T20I against South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Walking in at a tense stage, Pandya shifted gears instantly and brought up a superb fifty in just 25 balls, keeping India alive in the contest almost single-handedly.

The right hand batter brought up his fifty in style smashing a six against Anrich Nortje. Hardik finished with an unbeaten 59* of just 28 balls. His innings had a lot of flamboyance as he smashed six boundaries and four sixes.

India found themselves under pressure early on after losing key wickets in clusters, but Pandya’s intent changed the flow of the innings. The all-rounder mixed clean striking with clever placement, hammering five fours and four sixes, including a towering blow off Anrich Nortje in the 19th over which brought up his half-century.

At the 19.2-over mark, India moved to 169/6, with Pandya unbeaten on 54 off 25 balls at a strike rate of 216. His partnership with Jitesh Sharma injected much-needed momentum, adding 32 runs off just 13 deliveries. India finished the first innings with 175 on the board and Hardik remained unbeaten on 59.