South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, has dropped a massive statement on India’s all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, post their 3-1 series defeat in the five-match T20I series against the Blue Brigade, due to their 30-run defeat in the final clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Hardik smashed his very first delivery over the long-on region for a massive six to get going and continued the same momentum to end with a fine knock of 63 runs in just 25 balls at a strike rate of 252, thanks to five boundaries and as many sixes. Tilak Varma clubbed 73 runs in 42 balls at a strike rate of 173.81.

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“Taking nothing away from (Jasprit) Bumrah, I think Hardik has been the difference in the two teams. His knock tonight was the difference between us winning and losing. He played a knock in the first one as well, where he just walked in, and we had him in a little bit of trouble.” Conrad expressed in the post-match press conference.

Shukri Conrad praises Hardik Pandya’s brutal batting

Apart from Hardik, Bumrah also contributed massively in the contest with a magical bowling figure of 2/17 in four overs at an economy rate of 4.20. India, having put 231 on the board, restricted the Proteas to 201. Hardik highlighted his mindset with the bat during the powerful knock.

“Look, there’s a reason why he’s one of the best in the world in this format (and) his performances have been right up there. I don’t know who the man of the series is out there, but I’ll be very surprised if it’s not him.” Conrad noted to the reporters.

“Winning games is what you play for, and it’s always exciting when your contribution helps the team get over the line. I actually told my partner beforehand that I was going to step out first ball and try to hit it for six. I was confident it would come off. The situation suited my style; I backed myself, and it worked. I took a calculated risk, and thankfully it went my way.” Pandya addressed in the post-match presentation. 

The dressing videos of Team India always attract Indian cricket fans, as these videos show the bond between the team members. There can be many speculations on social media platforms about the bonds between the players, but these videos depict the reality. BCCI shared a special video after the India vs South Africa 5th match in Ahmedabad.

India won the match by 30 runs after scoring 231 runs in the first innings. Tilak Varma played a crucial role behind India's dominating result. With the win last night, the hosts claimed the 5-match T20I series by 3-1. In the fifth match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Varma registered 73 off 42 with 10 boundaries and one 6. After the match, the middle-order batter received a special medal from Raghavindraa Raghu, training assistant of Team India, in the dressing room.

Raghu is one of the unsung heroes behind the team's recent success. In a warm gesture, before receiving the medal, Varma went down on his knees to touch Raghu's feet. The moment steals every cricket fan's heart as the batter showed true respect to Raghu. Along with Tilak, Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah and other players of the playing XI contributed behind the Men in Blue's emphatic win in a must-win game.

Read More: Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah set to miss IND vs NZ ODI series: Report

Watch more when Tilak Varma touches Raghu's feet

ONCE AGAIN THE GOLDEN WORDS FROM UNSUNG HERO OF TEAM INDIA RAGHU.🇮🇳❤️

And thank you, Tilak Varma, for giving Raghu the respect and love that he truly deserves.🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/PbxuqBVCt6

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) December 20, 2025

Before the match, the scoreline was 2-1 for India, which means if South Africa could win the match, then the series would be summed up in a draw. After the conclusion of the India vs. South Africa multi-format series, focus will be gradually shifted to the upcoming India vs. New Zealand limited-overs series, where these two teams will collide for a 3-match ODI series and a 5-match T20I series.

The T20I series is going to be very crucial for both of the teams because of the T20I World Cup, which is scheduled to start in February next year.

A fresh injury of vice-captain Shubman Gill opened the gates for Sanju Samson to be a part of India's playing XI in Ahmedabad for the 5th of the 5-match T20I series against South Africa. After the match, a gesture of Samson melted the hearts of cricket fans. 

Sanju Samson was with the squad from the beginning of the T20I series, but mainly as a benchwarmer. Then, a day before the fifth match, reports emerged about Gill's injury, which allowed Samson to play the remaining match, and that too as an opener. During the Asia Cup 2025, Samson got to play matches as a middle-order batter, which was his unusual position. But still, the keeper-batter is always up to prove his cog in the setup. 

With Sanju and Abhishek Sharma on the top of the batting order, Team India got a flying start in Ahmedabad. Sanju got 37 off 22, and India eventually won the match as they registered 231/5 in the first innings. Indian cricket fans thoroughly enjoyed the pristine form of the batter. 

Read More: Watch: Hardik Pandya personally checks and hugs injured cameraman whom he injured during IND vs SA 5th T20I

Watch the moment when Sanju Samson gifted his gloves to little fans 

Sanju Samson gifted his gloves to the 2 little kids in Ahmedabad.

The humbleness and kindness of Sanju make him so special 🫡❤️pic.twitter.com/8fVJgAHQD9

— Tejash (@Tejashyyyyy) December 20, 2025

After the match, when the keeper-batter was about to go inside the pavilion, he noticed two little fans calling his name from the front row of the gallery. Sanju changed his route and went straight towards the gallery to meet up with the young fans. Next, what happened could be a long-term memory for two boys.

Sanju came with his pads and gloves near the fence and gifted his gloves to the little boys. The heartwarming moment is now surfacing on social media platforms. After the conclusion of the multi-format series against South Africa, Team India will be gearing up for their next assignment, which will be against New Zealand. 

Hardik Pandya was in a brutal mood during the fifth T20I of the five-match series against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where he blazed a powerful knock of 63 runs in 25 balls with the help of five massive sixes, one of which smashed the shoulder of the cameraman, operating on the edge of the boundary rope.

Nonetheless, it will be a moment that the camera will recall and keep in mind for a long time as Hardik rushed over to check on the cameraman after the end of the Indian innings. The all-rounder proceeded to take a look at the bruising, helping apply the ice-pack the cameraman had been provided as the first aid by the Indian side.

See Also: Watch: Shivam Dube’s one-handed stunning catch dismisses Reeza Hendricks in IND vs SA 5th T20I

Hardik also shared a beer hug by way of apology for the damage he had accidentally caused. It felt like a nasty bruise straightaway that needed tending to by the Indian team’s physio in an effort to get some quick and sharp medical attention for him to get fully recovered.

Hardik Pandya hugs injured cameraman in Ahmedabad

The camera operator had been capturing the footage of the Indian dugout, which also saw the head coach of the Blue Brigade, Gautam Gambhir, asking the management to offer water to the cameraman. Pandya and Tilak Varma’s swashbuckling knocks fired India to 231/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Watch the video here: 

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“Winning games is what you play for, and it’s always exciting when your contribution helps the team get over the line. I actually told my partner beforehand that I was going to step out first ball and try to hit it for six. I was confident it would come off. The situation suited my style; I backed myself, and it worked. I took a calculated risk, and thankfully it went my way.” Pandya addressed in the post-match presentation.

In reply to India’s massive first innings, the Proteas ended with 201/8 in their 20 overs and ended up losing the contest by 30 runs. Hardik became the player of the match as India earned the series victory by a 3-1 margin.

A target of 232 is always massive despite the fast-paced nature of Twenty20 cricket. For the 5th match of India vs. South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Team India went to bat first and registered 231 runs against only 5 wickets. The South Africa batters tried their level best in the second innings, but they could get 201 runs in their 20-over limit. Thus, India won the fifth and the final match of the contest by 30 runs and claimed the series by a 3-1 margin. 

Toss and first innings:

South Africa skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and decided to bowl first. Though, according to stats, teams batting first have better winning chances at this venue. 

Markram's decision took very little time to prove wrong, as Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were in fine touch from the beginning. Samson was in the match in place of injured Shubman Gill. For the opening wicket, the hosts notched up 63 runs. Tilak Varma, who knew the ground very well, claimed 73 off 42, followed by Hardik Pandya's 63 off 25. Apart from the experienced pacer Lungi Ngidi, the remaining bowling attack of South Africa turned out very costly in this match. 

Read More: Watch: Sanju Samson's well-connected shot hit umpire's knee during IND vs SA 5th T20I

Second innings: 

South Africa started the run chase in a promising way with Quinton de Kock as an in-form opener. Dewald Brevis also joined him with his natural attacking batting style. But the middle order of the team collapsed easily against the Indian bowling attack. Varun Chakravarthy took 4 wickets, a brace for Jasprit Bumrah in the process. Captain Suryakumar Yadav utilized Bumrah during the mid-phase of the second innings, and it worked well for Team India. South Africa, after losing 8 scalps, got 201 runs, which was a very good total but not enough for winning today's match.

IND vs SA 5th T20I scorecard in brief:

India: 231/5

South Africa:201/8 (20)

While the fifth and final game of the India vs South Africa T20I series at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was running on the wire in the high-scoring encounter, Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah strongly put the hosts in control. After Bumrah and Hardik Pandya dismissed two set Proteas batters Quinton de Kock and Dewald Brevis, Varun then took charge of the game by taking two back-to-back wickets, as the hosts then controlled the game completely. 

It was the 13th over when Varun Chakravarthy brought his magic with two wickets in consecutive deliveries. While Varun delivered his first over in the seventh over of the innings, he provided India's first breakthrough by dismissing opener Reeza Hendricks (13) and conceded only three runs. However, in his next over, the leggie conceded 23 runs, including two sixes and two fours. 

Watch: Tilak-Hardik smash 27 runs in George Linde's final over in IND vs SA 5th T20I

Varun Chakravarthy took two back-to-back wickets

Varun returned in the 13th over, where he conceded a four to Aiden Markram on the second delivery. However, on the next delivery, he dismissed Markram (6) through an lbw, as he had an unsuccessful paddle attempt. While Markram went for a review to challenge the on-field umpire's decision, he had no luck as the impact was umpire's call, and the out decision stayed.  

On the next ball, Varun bowled Donovan Ferreira with a beautiful delivery. That put India under control, as South Africa were struggling at 135/5 in the chase of 232 runs. 

THE X FACTOR INDIA - VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY...!!! 😍💪 pic.twitter.com/OQqYwMmgu1

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 19, 2025

Varun Chakravarthy took four wickets

George Linde defended the hat-trick ball, and Varun dismissed him in his next over, as the Indian leg-spinner had the bowling figures of 4-0-53-4. 

In reply to India’s 231 in the first innings of the fifth T20I of the five-match series between India and South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, South Africa made a brutal start in their chase as Quinton De Kock celebrated his 50 in just 30 deliveries. The Proteas took on all the Indian bowlers and managed to put pressure on them.

Something very special was needed from India to break the opening partnership, and Shivam Dube provided them with the same thing. On the third delivery of the seventh over, Reeza Hendricks flicked Varun Chakravarthy into the leg side, where Dube ran to his left and plunked it out of thin air with his left hand.

See Also: Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant omitted? Delhi announce squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26

It was a superb catch from the Indian all-rounder, who was not in control while taking the catch. Hendricks’s struggling knock off 13 runs in 12 deliveries ended, which was decorated with only one boundary. South Africa ended with 99/1 in nine overs to get the perfect start in the chase.

Shivam Dube’s one-handed spectacular catch goes viral

Earlier in the game, India made a massive score of 231 in their allotted 20 overs thanks to Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya’s 104-run partnership in just 44 deliveries for the fourth wicket, which provided them the platform for the massive score. The latter smashed 63 runs in 25 balls at a strike rate of 252 with the help of five boundaries and five sixes.

Watch the video here: 

𝗜. 𝗖. 𝗬. 𝗠. 𝗜

Need a wicket? Call Varun Chakaravarthy 😎

Shivam Dube with a brilliant catch as #TeamIndia have the 1⃣st wicket 🙌

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/kw4LKLNSl3#INDvSA | @IamShivamDube | @chakaravarthy29 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/WrDU6bI0uh

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 19, 2025

Meanwhile, Tilak nailed 70 runs in just 42 deliveries at a strike rate of 173.81 with the help of ten boundaries and one six. Even their opening batters, Sanju Samson and Abhisek Sharma, were exceptional in their respective 30+ run knocks at a strike rate of more than 160.

The message was clear from the dressing room as all the batters went hard from the very first delivery of their innings. India had already taken an unassailable lead of 2-1 in the series after their victories in Cuttack and Dharamshala, following a defeat in New Chandigarh.  

A painful moment for Rohan Pandit, one of the field umpires for the India vs. South Africa 5th T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Pandit was instantly on the ground, lying on his back after getting hit by the ball. 

Team India was in full flow from the beginning of the match. Without the service of the vice-captain Shubman Gill, Team India scored 231 runs against only 5 wickets in the 20-over limit. Gill is sidelined because of a fresh injury. In place of him, Sanju Samson was named in the first eleven. He paired up with Abhishek Sharma for the opening position of the team. With Samson and Sharma on top, India got a flying start in the match. 

Sanju got 37 runs against 22 deliveries. His innings was decorated with a couple of 6s and four 4s. The boundary tally could be more if the umpire did not appear as an obstacle. 

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Watch the moment when the ball hit the umpire hard

That one must have hurt. 🩹@IamSanjuSamson times this one sweetly and the ball rockets off the bowlers hand and umpire Rohan Pandit cops a nasty blow to his shin. 🫣😵‍💫#INDvSA 5th T20I | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/adG06ykx8o pic.twitter.com/T4XdtqK9jA

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 19, 2025

Samson then was in full charge, trying to slam the ball hard. During an over of Donovan Ferreira in the first innings, the right-handed batter hit the ball hard and straight. The ball was travelling at a good pace. The bowler tried to stop the ball but was beaten by the pace. Umpire Rohan Pandit was also tricked by the pace of the ball as it hit his knee directly. 

Pandit was too late to react against the travelling ball. It hit the umpire's knee so hard that Rohan Pandit instantly went down on the ground and was visibly in pain. The physios reacted quickly on the occasion and rushed to the spot to provide the injured umpire some much-needed medical support. Physios of both teams were on the spot. After a while, the umpire went back on his feet, and the match went on as usual.

Hardik Pandya came into the fifth T20I of the five-match series against South Africa with full freedom and started to nail the big shots from the very first delivery. He went hard to the length delivery down the ground for a six against Corbin Bosch before drilling the third ball for another four.

When South Africa introduced the left-arm spinner, George Linde, to Hardik, the latter smashed the lofted cover drive for a massive six before showing his power on the very next delivery over the on-side with swag for the same result. Against Bosch, the right-handed batter dished out the belt treatment with a hammering drive for another six.

See Also: Watch: Travis Head celebrates fourth successive century in Adelaide during 3rd Ashes 2025/26 Test

On the fifth delivery of the 17th over, Pandya used his front leg power to club a forceful six over the mid-wicket region to celebrate his 16-ball half-century, which became the second fastest for an Indian batter, after Yuvraj Singh got the record in 12 balls against England during the T20 World Cup 2007.

Hardik Pandya gives flying kiss to his girlfriend

Just after smashing the fifty, Hardik raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd and also gave a flying kiss to his girlfriend, who was present at the ground, and returned the flying kiss to the batter. Hardik finally ended with a brutal knock of 63 runs in just 25 balls at a strike rate of 252 with the help of five boundaries and five sixes.

Watch the video here:

Did hardik pandya just openly confessed his relation with miheka.😭🔥🤍#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/1q6DSz6F1t

— ` (@PulsePioneer21) December 19, 2025

He put up a fine 105-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Tilak Varma. The southpaw, meanwhile, continued the same brutal knock and smashed 73 runs in 42 balls at a strike rate of 173.81 with the help of 10 boundaries and one six as the Proteas had no idea of where to bowl.

Even in just three deliveries, Shivam Dube drilled a six and a four, which just cleared out the message from the dressing room. Earlier, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma also played two brutal knocks at a strike rate of over 160 as India posted 231/5 in their allotted 20 overs of the first innings.

In the five-match T20I series finale at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, while the Indian batters dominated the South African bowlers, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya slammed 27 runs in an over against the spinner George Linde, who was the best bowler in the match for the visitors before that over. 

While India are leading the series by 2-1, they were sent to bat first in the series decider. Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson provided a powerful start for the hosts, who scored 67/1 in the powerplay.  

Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya dominated

While Sanju scored 37 off 22 balls, Abhishek scored 34 off 21 balls. Although the skipper Suryakumar Yadav (5) had another cheap score, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya assured the hosts a big total in the Ahmedabad T20I with their stormy partnership. 

Tilak and Hardik's partnership hardly had the dot balls as they added 105 runs for the fourth wicket, where both slammed half-centuries strongly. 

George Linde, the left-arm spinner, was bowling beautifully before experiencing havoc in his last over of the innings. In his first three overs, Linde conceded only 19 runs and brilliantly bowled Sanju Samson for 37 runs. 

Watch: Sanju Samson's well-connected shot hit umpire's knee during IND vs SA 5th T20I

How Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya slammed 27 runs in George Linde's over

It was the 14th over of the innings, which was Linde's final over. Tilak started that over with a six over long-on. After Tilak took a single in the next over, it was time for Hardik, who slammed four, six, six, and four in the next four balls. 

Power hitting masterclass! 💎@TilakV9 and @hardikpandya7 bring out the fireworks in Ahmedabad! 🔥#INDvSA 5th T20I | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/adG06ykx8o pic.twitter.com/hIMEEzx4EK

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 19, 2025

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While Tilak scored 73 off 42 balls with 10 fours and one six, Hardik scored 63 off 25 balls with five fours and five sixes, as India scored a mammoth total of 231/5 in 20 overs.