India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya claimed the wicket of South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs to reach the milestone of 100 T20I wickets during the third match of the five-game series. The game is being held on Sunday, December 14, at Dharamsala’s HPCA Stadium. The breakthrough came on the final ball of the seventh over of the Proteas’ innings.
Hardik delivered a back-of-a-length ball outside off, moving away from the batter. Stubbs attempted a loose shot away from his body, managing only an outside edge to wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, who held onto the catch. With this achievement, Hardik became the third Indian to reach 100 T20I wickets, joining Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah.
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The right-handed batter scored just nine runs from 13 deliveries. Stubbs’ wicket left South Africa in trouble at 30 for 4 after seven overs.
Hardik Pandya Strikes As India Gain Upper Hand In 3rd T20I vs South Africa
Sent in to bat, South Africa struggled from the outset, with opener Reeza Hendricks falling for a three-ball duck to Arshdeep Singh in the very first over. Harshit Rana made an immediate impact in the next over, dismissing Quinton de Kock for just one run off three deliveries. Rana struck again in his second over, removing Dewald Brevis for two off seven balls, leaving the Proteas in deep trouble at 7 for 3 after 3.1 overs.
Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs then put together a 23-run partnership for the fourth wicket at a run-a-ball pace before Hardik Pandya dismissed Stubbs for nine. Shivam Dube also made an early contribution, cleaning up Corbin Bosch for four on the first ball of his spell, leaving South Africa half their side down for 44 after 10.1 overs.
At the time of writing, the visitors were 48 for 5 after 11 overs, with Markram (28) and Donovan Ferreira (4) at the crease.
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