'Walks out like a superhero in a movie' - Legendary pacer lauds Hardik Pandya after record knock in Ahmedabad T20I

Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn lauded Hardik Pandya following his Player-of-the-Match outing against South Africa in Ahmedabad in the fifth and final T20I on December 19. Pandya’s 25-ball 63-run blitz, embellished with five fours and as many sixes, powered India to an imposing 232 after they were inserted to bat. Not content with the batting contribution, Pandya returned to dismiss Dewald Brevis later to cap off an all-round show.

Speaking on Pandya’s performance, Steyn reserved high praise for the all-rounder, stating that he possesses an unmatched superhero aura and his mental dominance puts him a step above the rest.

“Hardik was fantastic—he’s transcended sportsman into celebrity territory, walking out like a superhero in a scripted movie plot where nobody alters his plan. It’s not a bad attitude; it’s pure dominance, an aura where nobody else can match what he does. You see it in his stance and presence—he’s operating at another level mentally, unbreakable in a game that’s all about mental battles. All these players are skilled, but he’s elevated beyond,” said Steyn on JioStar.

Steyn further dissected South Africa’s chase collapse against Jasprit Bumrah, highlighting that the visitors did not play the ball but the bowler, letting the “Bumrah effect” takeover. Bumrah was the most economical bowler on either side by a distance, conceding just 17 runs and picking two wickets.

“It’s the Bumrah effect—you can’t let him bowl four overs without damage. South Africa played it safe, surviving him while attacking others, but once he got Quinton de Kock, it triggered Hardik’s wicket, then Chakaravarthy’s flow. Chasing 230-240 demands fighting fire with fire, you can’t let elite bowlers dictate. Bumrah always creates that window for others—South Africa should’ve gone after him harder, as he’ll get you out anyway if you just wait,” Steyn said.

The former pacer also elaborated on Varun Chakaravarthy’s dominance over South Africa’s middle order. While he was expensive, Chakravarthy claimed four wickets and enforced a middle-over slowdown to help India claw their way back in the game.

“Many South Africans struggle to pick Varun Chakaravarthy—Aiden Markram reads him best but still gets out to him often because he plays aggressively. Others like Ferreira get completely foxed by his soft prods and uncertain spin. He has a clear edge over their middle order; even Markram’s now cautious, which is the last mindset a batter wants against him.”