"When India needs belief, he delivers domination" - Fans hail Hardik Pandya for sensational 25-ball 63 in IND vs SA 2025 5th T20I

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya played a blistering knock in the fifth T20I between India and South Africa. The game is being played in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19.

India batted first and posted a massive total of 231/5 from their 20 overs. Hardik walked in at number five and smashed a swashbuckling half-century to give the team a solid finish. He struck a 25-ball 63, including five boundaries and as many sixes at a whopping strike rate of 252.

Hardik unleashed himself and took the attack to the South African bowlers. It was an amazing display as India registered the third-highest team total in T20Is involving the two nations.

Fans hailed Hardik for his fabulous knock.

"Some players survive pressure. Hardik Pandya weaponises it. When India needs belief, he delivers domination. Bat. Ball. Attitude. T20I GOAT energy only. 👑🏏," a fan wrote on X. "Hardik Pandya, take a bow 👏🔥63 off just 25 balls when it mattered the most — pure intent, confidence, and class. This is what a clutch player looks like. Proud to watch you deliver on the big stage 🇮🇳💪," another fan tweeted.

Below are some other reactions from fans on X -

Hardik also crossed 2000 T20I runs with this knock. He now has 2002 runs from 97 innings at an average of 28.60 and a strike rate of 143.51 with seven half-centuries.

In 12 innings this year, Hardik has scored 302 runs at a strike rate of 153.29 with three half-centuries to his name.

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Hardik Pandya smashes the second-fastest T20I fifty for India

Hardik Pandya's blistering knock was also among the best by an Indian batter in T20Is. He smashed the second-fastest T20I fifty among Indian batters. His half-century came off just 16 balls.

He is only behind the legendary Yuvraj Singh, who holds the record with a 12-ball fifty that he had slammed against England during the 2007 T20 World Cup. Hardik bettered Abhishek Sharma, KL Rahul, and Suryakumar Yadav.

Abhishek had slammed a 17-ball fifty against England earlier this year. Rahul had struck an 18-ball fifty against Scotland in Dubai during the 2021 T20 World Cup, while Suryakumar scored an 18-ball fifty as well against South Africa in 2022.

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Edited by Rishab Vm