Hardik's Blistering 50 Lifts India to 175/6 After Top-order Wobble

Ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya marked his return to competitive cricket with a blistering half-century that helped India recover from some early blows to post a healthy 175/6 in the opening T20I against South Africa here on Tuesday.

- Press Trust of India

Coming back after 74 days following a left quadricep injury that forced him out of the Asia Cup, Pandya walked in at No. 6 and immediately changed the tempo of the match.

India had slipped in both the power play and middle overs losing six wickets, but Pandya, who had proved his fitness at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Baroda with a 42-ball 77 not out, counterattacked with clean, fearless hitting to finish on 59 not out off 28 balls, laced with six fours and four sixes.

It was his sixth T20I fifty.