After playing a crucial role in India's T20 World Cup triumph, Hardik Pandya once again climbed to the top of the ICC Men's T20I All-Rounder rankings. This is his second time at the top spot in 2021. With his batting and bowling prowess, Pandya helped India win the T20I series against South Africa, with Tilak Varma also making it to the top 3 in the batter's rankings.
Indian cricket team vice-captain Hardik Pandya has posted a powerful message on social media as India gets ready for the third T20I against South Africa. The series is currently tied at 1-1 after India's loss in the second T20. Pandya's caption, "Centurion. We've got a job to do," reflects the team's determination to win in the upcoming match. Meanwhile, India captain Suryakumar Yadav has praised spinner Varun Chakaravarthy's performance in the previous match and looks forward to the remaining two matches with excitement.
On the tour of South Africa, middle-order batsman and medium-pace bowler Ramandeep Singh was rewarded with his maiden call-up to the Indian T20I squad. After being on the bench for the first two matches, he finally got to make his T20I debut in the third game at Centurion. Ramandeep's impressive performances in domestic and IPL cricket earned him a spot in the national team's lineup. His power-hitting lower down the order for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 caught the attention of selectors and led to him being retained for the IPL 2025 season for a whopping INR 4 crores.
In a nail-biting 2nd T20 match between India and South Africa, Tristan Stubbs played a crucial role in leading his team to a 3-wicket win against India, tying the series 1-1. Despite Varun Chakaravarthy's impressive 5-wicket haul, Stubbs' knock of 47 proved to be the game-changer. With Hardik Pandya's gritty innings, India managed to post a respectable score of 124/6, but it was not enough as South Africa chased down the target with just 2 balls to spare.
RP Singh, former India cricket player, criticized all-rounder Hardik Pandya for not taking singles during the second T20I between India and South Africa. Despite Varun Chakravarthy's five-wicket haul, India lost the match by three wickets due to a match-winning partnership between Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee. Singh believes Pandya's lack of belief in his batting and failure to take singles cost India the match, making the four-match series leveled at 1-1.
South Africa's bowlers restrict India to a total of 124 runs, with Hardik Pandya being the top scorer with 39 runs. Varun Chakaravarthy's 5 for 17 spell wasn't enough as Stubbs and Coetzee's partnership secures a win for South Africa. India's batting struggled, with the exception of Pandya, as they lost their openers and skipper Suryakumar Yadav. Despite a close game, South Africa emerged victorious with a 4 wicket win.
In an intense match at St George's Park in Gqeberha, South Africa's Tristan Stubbs hits the final boundary to secure a win over India. Varun Chakravarthy's successful dismissal of South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen initially seemed to give India the momentum, but Stubbs' outstanding performance proved to be too much for India to handle. Despite the efforts of India's captain Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, South Africa ultimately came out on top, leaving the Indian team to grapple with a tough loss.
In the 2nd T20I between India and South Africa, India struggled early on with a poor batting performance, losing 3 wickets within the first four overs. Despite key partnerships from Axar Patel and Tilak Varma, South Africa maintained control and kept picking up wickets at regular intervals. It was only due to a late surge from Hardik Pandya that India could reach a more respectable total of 124/6, with Pandya top-scoring with 39 runs.
Bollywood actress Natasa Stankovic has announced her separation from her husband, cricket star Hardik Pandya, and reveals that she will be writing a book about her experiences. The mother of their son recently took a trip to her hometown and returned to focus on her career and co-parenting with Hardik. In order to maintain privacy, Natasa has chosen to keep her personal life out of the public eye.
Former Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram discusses the potential for India to participate in the 2022 ICC Champions Trophy, and expresses hope for a positive decision by the Indian government and cricket board. Akram also highlights the fan following of Indian players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya in Pakistan, and emphasizes the importance of people-to-people contact through sports. With no bilateral series between India and Pakistan since 2012, the speculation on India's involvement in the Champions Trophy adds to the anticipation and excitement for fans.