“God was with me as well” - Hardik Pandya breaks silence after his six hits cameraman in IND vs SA 2025 5th T20I [Watch]

Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya opened up after his six hit a cameraman during the fifth and final T20I against South Africa on Friday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The star cricketer expressed relief by saying he was thankful the ball didn't hit him anywhere above the shoulder.

The incident occurred during the 13th over of the innings when Hardik Pandya came to the crease after Corbin Bosch dismissed Suryakumar Yadav for 5. The seam-bowling all-rounder opened his account by clubbing a six over long-off. The shot hit the cameraman, who was standing beyond the boundary rope. Head coach Gautam Gambhir gave out an animated reaction, while the Indian team's physio was seen icing the cameraman's shoulder.

Speaking in a video uploaded by the BCCI, the 32-year-old, who later checked in on the cameraman said:

"I got really worried inside. It was quite a clean hit. God was with me as well that it didn't go anywhere above that. Ya, it will be bruised tomorrow as well but at the same point of time, he was a very lucky man. I'm very grateful that it didn't go any higher. I just thought I should say sorry and check in. I've seen him around, throughout my 10-11 years of cricket, he's been around. I keep saying hi to him and just wanted to make sure he is fine and at the same time very happy it didn't go anywhere else than just his hand."

The Baroda-born cricketer hit four more sixes in his knock in what was a run-fest in Ahmedabad.

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Hardik Pandya earns Player of the Match award as Team India win series 3-1

Hardik Pandya reacts after Dewald Brevis' wicket. (Credits: BCCI X)

Coming in a tricky situation, Hardik Pandya hammered 63 off 25 deliveries and added 105 with Tilak Varma. The momentum-shifting partnership propelled India to 231/5 in 20 overs. Openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma got the hosts off to a strong start with a 63-run opening stand, allowing Pandya and Tilak to capitalise.

With the ball, Varun Chakaravarthy was outstanding, picking up figures of 4-0-53-4. Jasprit Bumrah was their most economical bowler with a haul of 4-0-17-2 as the Men in Blue won by 30 runs. Pandya earned the Player of the Match award for his 63 and figures of 3-0-41-1.

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Edited by Srinjoy Sanyal