Hardik Pandya Shines in T20I with Record-Breaking Performance and Heartwarming Gesture
A Day of Triumph and Kindness for Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya delivered an electrifying performance in the fifth and final T20I against South Africa, scoring an impressive 63 runs off just 25 balls. His innings was marked by a series of powerful boundaries that showcased his signature 'Kung Fu Pandya' style. However, one of his sixes inadvertently struck a cameraman on the arm.
Despite the impact, the cameraman continued to work, receiving immediate ice treatment from medical staff present at the venue. Ryan Ten Doeschate, the assistant coach, also noticed the incident from the dugout.
In a video released by the BCCI, the cameraman reassured fans of his well-being, humorously noting that the situation could have been worse had the ball hit him higher.
Heroes with Heart!
Hardik Pandya
Cameraman
#TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @hardikpandya7 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Cn0YLBc6Ee
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 20, 2025
Demonstrating his caring nature, Pandya promptly checked on the cameraman, inquiring about his arm, sharing a hug, and applying an ice pack to alleviate the discomfort.
Later, Hardik expressed his relief, stating, “I’m grateful it didn’t hit him higher. He was fortunate. I’ll apologize to him and ensure he’s alright… Thankfully, he is okay.”
In addition to this touching moment, Pandya achieved a significant milestone, becoming the fifth Indian player to surpass 2,000 runs in T20Is, joining the ranks of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and KL Rahul.
He also recorded the second-fastest fifty for India in T20Is, reaching the mark in just 16 balls, falling short of Yuvraj Singh’s record of 12 balls set during the 2007 T20 World Cup.
– Hardik Pandya smashed the six
– Ball hit the hard to cameraman
– After the innings, Hardik instantly came to meet him
– Hardik hugged the cameraman
Just look at the cameraman’s reaction at the end; it’s so priceless. This small gesture from cricketers can make someone’s day… pic.twitter.com/stV156Og6K
— Tejash (@Tejashyyyyy) December 19, 2025
Pandya also set a new record for India by achieving the most instances of scoring a half-century while taking at least one wicket in the same T20I match.
India's batting was formidable, with Pandya's explosive 63 and Tilak Varma's impressive 73 leading the team to a total of 231/5.
Varun Chakravarthy then dismantled the South African batting order, claiming four wickets as South Africa, despite a strong start, ended their innings at 201/8. This victory by 30 runs secured India a 3-1 series win, concluding 2025 on a high note.