Hardik Pandya's Memorable Moment with Cameraman During T20 Match

In a thrilling T20 match against South Africa, Hardik Pandya accidentally struck a cameraman with a six, leading to a heartfelt moment between the two. Pandya expressed concern for the cameraman's well-being, applying ice to his injury and sharing a warm embrace. The match was also significant for Pandya, as he achieved multiple records, including becoming the fifth Indian to score 2,000 runs in T20 internationals. This incident highlights not only Pandya's sportsmanship but also the excitement of the game.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 20, 2025, 13:06 IST

An Unforgettable Incident on the Field

During the fifth and final T20 international match against South Africa, all-rounder Hardik Pandya hit a six that accidentally struck a cameraman. The Indian star shared a heartfelt moment with the cameraman, apologizing, embracing him, and applying ice to alleviate the pain. Pandya was in exceptional form, demolishing the bowlers with a flurry of boundaries, showcasing his signature 'Kung Fu Pandya' aggression and confidence.

Cameraman's Close Call

While the audience enjoyed the thrilling sixes, the cameraman capturing the live action had a slightly less enjoyable experience when the ball flew towards him, hitting his hand. The impact was so strong that even assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, sitting nearby, stood up to see what had happened. In a video released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the cameraman can be heard saying that it was nothing serious, but he acknowledged that the situation could have been worse had the ball struck a different part of his body. Medical personnel nearby quickly attended to him with ice.

Hardik's Concern for the Crew Member

Hardik expressed relief that the crew member was safe, stating, "God was with me because the injury was not above his hand and only caused a minor bruise. He was fortunate that it wasn’t worse. I apologize to him and check on his condition. I’ve seen him around for the past ten years while playing for India. I often say 'hi' to him. Thankfully, he is okay." The video showed Hardik approaching the cameraman, inquiring about his hand, and giving him a comforting hug while applying ice to the injured area.

A Day of Records for India

For the undisputed T20 international champions, this match was filled with records and achievements. Hardik became the fifth Indian batsman to score 2,000 runs in T20 internationals, joining the ranks of legends like Rohit Sharma (4231 runs), Virat Kohli (4188 runs), Suryakumar Yadav (2788 runs), and KL Rahul (2265 runs). Additionally, he set the record for the second-fastest fifty for India in T20 internationals, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls, surpassing the previous record held by Yuvraj Singh, who scored a fifty in 12 balls during the 2007 T20 World Cup against England.

Hardik Surpasses Yuvraj's Record

Hardik also broke Yuvraj Singh's record for the most instances of scoring a fifty and taking at least one wicket in T20 internationals. He scored 63 runs off just 25 balls, including five fours and five sixes, with an impressive strike rate of 252.00. While bowling, he conceded 41 runs in three overs but managed to secure the crucial wicket of Dewald Brevis, who was starting to find his rhythm, dismissing him for 31 runs off 17 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.