Dharamshala

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya achieved a major milestone on Sunday, becoming only the third Indian bowler to claim 100 wickets in T20 Internationals and joining a select global group to complete a rare all-round triple in the format.

Pandya reached the landmark during the ongoing match against South Africa, delivering an economical spell of 1 for 23 in three overs. With this, his T20I wicket tally stands at 100 from 123 matches, at an average of 26.78. His record in the shortest format includes three four-wicket hauls, with best figures of 4 for 16.

With this achievement, Pandya joined fellow Indians Arshdeep Singh (109 wickets) and Jasprit Bumrah (101 wickets) as the only Indian bowlers to cross the 100-wicket mark in T20 Internationals.

The milestone also placed Pandya among an elite group of all-rounders worldwide who have scored over 1,000 T20I runs, hit more than 100 sixes, and taken at least 100 wickets. The others to have achieved this rare combination are Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza, Afghanistan’s Mohammed Nabi, and Malaysia’s Virandeep Singh.

Pandya’s batting record in T20Is further underlines his all-round credentials. He has amassed 1,939 runs in 122 matches at an average of 28.10 and a strike rate of 141.53, including six half-centuries and 101 sixes.

In the match, India elected to bowl after winning the toss. South Africa struggled against disciplined Indian bowling, losing wickets at regular intervals. Arshdeep Singh (2/13) and Harshit Rana (2/34) made early inroads, while spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with two wickets each.

South African captain Aiden Markram stood firm with an unbeaten 61 off 46 balls, striking six fours and two sixes, but received little support as the Proteas were bowled out for 117 in 20 overs.

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India now require 118 runs to secure a 2–1 advantage in the five-match T20I series.