Hardik Pandya breaks new ground with rare 100 wickets-1,000 runs T20I double

Published - 14 Dec 2025, 21:36 IST | Updated - 14 Dec 2025, 21:39 IST

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya etched his name into the history books by joining the elite club of players with 100 wickets and 1,000 runs in men’s T20 Internationals. Pandya achieved the milestone during the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala, where he entered the match with 99 wickets and 1,939 runs in the format. His dismissal of Tristan Stubbs proved to be a landmark moment, taking him to 100 T20I wickets and underlining his value as a genuine all-rounder.

With this achievement, Pandya also became only the third Indian men’s bowler to claim 100 T20I wickets, following Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. His return to international cricket has been particularly impressive, coming after an injury layoff sustained during the Asia Cup earlier this year.

Pandya wasted little time in making an impact, producing a scintillating 28-ball 59 along with bowling figures of 1/16 in the first T20I of the ongoing series against South Africa. India went on to win that match, though they suffered a defeat in the second T20I at Mullanpur, where Pandya contributed 20 runs.

The 100 wickets & 1,000 runs double is a rare feat in men’s T20Is. Shakib Al Hasan was the first player to achieve it, followed by Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi. In November 2025, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and Malaysia’s Virandeep Singh became the third and fourth men’s cricketers to enter this elite club.

Across all T20 Internationals, including women’s cricket, Australia legend Ellyse Perry was the first to complete the milestone, with Pakistan star Nida Dar following her. Among Indian cricketers overall, Deepti Sharma was the first to reach the landmark, further highlighting the significance of Pandya’s achievement.

Rana and Arshdeep stifle Proteas batters early in Dharamsala