IND vs SA: Hardik Pandya Blazes 16-Ball Fifty in 5th T20I

Ahmedabad witnessed an explosive display of power hitting from Hardik Pandya in the fifth T20I against South Africa. Pandya announced his arrival with a towering six off his very first ball, immediately changing the game's momentum.

Pandya entered the match during the 13th over, after Suryakumar Yadav's dismissal for 5 runs off 7 balls. Corbin Bosch bowled the delivery that led to Yadav's catch by David Miller. Pandya responded to Bosch's length ball outside off by launching it over long-off for a six, unfortunately hitting a cameraman in the process. The team physio later attended to the cameraman.

The following over saw Pandya unleash his full potential against George Linde, smashing three sixes and two fours to score 27 runs. His aggressive batting propelled India to a formidable total.

Pandya reached his half-century in just 16 balls, marking the second-fastest T20I fifty for India. Yuvraj Singh holds the record with a 12-ball fifty. Pandya was eventually dismissed for 63 runs off 25 balls, an innings that included five sixes and five fours. India concluded their innings with a massive 231 for 5 in 20 overs.

Earlier in the match, South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram, won the toss and elected to field first. The South African team made one change, bringing in George Linde, a spin all-rounder, in place of Anrich Nortje, a fast bowler. India made multiple changes to their lineup. Jasprit Bumrah returned to the team, replacing Harshit Rana, after missing the third T20I due to personal reasons. Washington Sundar replaced Kuldeep Yadav, and Sanju Samson was included in the XI, taking the place of vice-captain Shubman Gill, who was ruled out of the final two matches due to a toe injury.