As Hardik Pandya Scripts T20I History, Girlfriend Mahieka Sharma Posts Heartfelt Message

Hardik Pandya has etched his name in T20I history, joining a select group of all-rounders to achieve the milestone of 1,000+ runs, 100+ sixes, and 100+ wickets. Following this achievement, his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, shared a heartfelt message of support on social media.

Pandya's accomplishment came as he became only the third Indian bowler to take 100 wickets in the T20I format, following Arshdeep Singh (109 wickets) and Jasprit Bumrah (101 wickets). In the recent match, he bowled three overs, securing 1 wicket for 23 runs. His T20I career now includes 100 wickets across 123 matches, with an average of 26.78, including three 4-wicket hauls and best figures of 4/16.

Globally, Pandya joins Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe, Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan, and Virandeep Singh of Malaysia in achieving this impressive triple. He also holds the distinction of being the first-ever fast-bowling all-rounder to reach both 100 wickets and 1,000 runs in T20Is.

With the bat, Pandya has scored 1,939 runs in 122 matches, maintaining an average of 28.10 and a strike rate of 141.53, including six half-centuries and 101 sixes.

In the game where he reached his milestone, India won the toss and chose to bowl first against South Africa. Arshdeep Singh (2/13) and Harshit Rana (2/34) delivered impactful spells in the powerplay, while spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav each claimed two wickets. Aiden Markram was the top scorer for South Africa with an unbeaten 61 off 46 balls, but South Africa were bowled out for 117 in their 20 overs. India now needs to score 118 runs to win the match and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.