Hardik Pandya breaks Yuvraj’s T20I all-round record but misses fastest fifty mark

Seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya scripted a unique T20I double during India’s series-clinching win, overtaking Yuvraj Singh with the most instances of scoring a half-century and taking at least one wicket in the same T20I match.

Pandya has now achieved the feat four times, surpassing Yuvraj’s tally of three and adding another milestone to his T20I career.

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Pandya fell just short of breaking Yuvraj Singh’s record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian. While Singh had reached the landmark in 12 balls against England in 2007, Pandya’s knock made him the second-fastest Indian to a T20I half-century.

Reflecting on the achievement after being named Player of the Match, Pandya said he was unaware of the milestone during his innings.

“Winning games is what you play for and it’s always exciting when your contribution helps the team get over the line. No, I didn’t know until I got out and went back,” Pandya said. “Our social media guys told me I was the second fastest. My first reaction was, ‘Ah, I missed the top spot!’ But happy that Yuvi pa holds that record.”

Rising to the occasion again!

Hardik Pandya is the Player of the Match for his scintillating performance in Ahmedabad

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/kw4LKLNSl3#TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @hardikpandya7 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.x.com/qZh0SUZePz

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 19, 2025

The all-rounder played a decisive role with the bat, smashing 63 off just 25 balls, an innings laced with five fours and five sixes at a staggering strike rate of 252.00, as India posted 231 for 5 before securing a 30-run victory.

With the ball, Pandya conceded 41 runs in three overs but struck at a crucial moment, dismissing Dewald Brevis for a 17-ball 31 that included three fours and two sixes.

The series marked Pandya’s return to international cricket after he suffered a left quadriceps injury during the Asia Cup in September 2025. He finished as India’s third-highest run-scorer in the series, accumulating 142 runs in three innings at an average of 71.00 and a strike rate of 186.84. Pandya also chipped in with three wickets at an average of 38.00, with best figures of 1 for 16, though his economy rate of over 10 remains an area of concern.

India sealed the series 3–1, with Pandya named Player of the Match in the final game, while Varun Chakravarthy claimed the Player of the Series award after taking 10 wickets at an average of 11.20 and an economy rate of 7.46.