Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya marked his return to international cricket with a sizzling knock of 31 not out off 12 deliveries in the first T20I against South Africa at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday. While the Indian cricket team eventually lost the encounter to the Proteas by seven wickets after they failed to defend their mammoth total of 211/4, Hardik Pandya ignited social media with his sensational hitting during India's batting essay.

Hardik Pandya was back in the national team after a gap of six months, having last played in India colours in the previous T20 World Cup in the UAE in November.

However, Hardik Pandya didn't look rusty and carried his good Indian Premier League (IPL) form to international cricket. A fortnight ago, the Surat-born cricketer had powered the newly-formed Gujarat Titans (GT) to the IPL title in their debut season.

In the cash-rich league, Hardik Pandya impressed everyone with his all-round skills, having scored 487 runs besides taking eight wickets in the tournament.

And on Thursday, he appeared to be at his best, hitting the ball into the stands on several occasions as he went on to make a blistering 31 off 12 balls that featured three huge sixes and two hits to the boundary line.

His fans on social media were excited to see him back in national colors and went crazy about his performance against the South Africans in Delhi, with several sharing their excitement on Twitter.

“487 runs in IPL 2022 while batting in the middle order and with a completely different role in the Indian team within just one week and he scored 31*(12). A fully fit Hardik is irreplaceable in Indian cricket,” a Hardik Pandya admirer said on the micro-blogging platform.

“What a finish by Hardik Pandya on his return – 31* (12) with 3 sixes. He's been outstanding since the IPL, he continued that form tonight for India,” another wrote on the social media network.

A third declared: “Repeating it again prime Hardik Pandya is unmatchable. One of the best all rounder in recent times!”

But Hardik Pandya didn't just earn plaudits for his performance but faced some flak as well after he denied veteran India batter Dinesh Karthik a single on the penultimate ball of the Indian innings.

Many Indian cricket fanatics even questioned his attitude, claiming he didn't know how to behave with his seniors.

https://twitter.com/RohitKohliDhoni/status/1534917239740465155

 

“Bad attitude by Hardik Pandya for not giving the strike to Dinesh Karthik, doesn't know how to respect a senior,” a Dinesh Karthik fan said on Twitter.

“In that controversial Koffee with Karan episode, Dinesh Karthik insulted the English speaking ability of Hardik Pandya. Hardik took the revenge by not taking single today,” a second argued.

“Everyone loves Dinesh Karthik except Hardik Pandya. Hardik Denied a single on the second last ball and disrespect DK,” a third opined.

“However good you are playing it's completely wrong to deny a single to other batsman until u are chasing and other person is not hitting properly, really bad from Hardik Pandya to deny single to Dinesh Karthik,” a fourth stated.

Even former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra who was the head coach of the Gujarat Titans trolled him for refusing to give Dinesh Karthik the strike.

“He should have taken a single before the last ball. It was Dinesh Karthik at the other end, not me,” Nehra joked during a show on Cricbuzz.

“Hardik Pandya is someone who can play all kinds of roles. He has got every type of batting up his sleeve. We have seen him performing in Tests and ODIs as well. With his batting ability, he can perhaps bat at any position… be it No.3 or 4 spot. He was captain for Gujarat and contributed with the ball as well. It was a different role. Before that, he wasn’t bowling much and was batting down the order. He is back in his old role tonight… but he has got the ability to pull off any role with ease,” Nehra added.

Coming back to India's loss, captain Rishabh Pant pinned the blame for the defeat on the team's bowlers, criticising them for not sticking to their plans during South Africa's run chase.

“I think we had enough on the board but were off with our execution, but credit to the opposition. We thought the slower one was working when we were batting but it became easier in the second innings,” Pant said during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Meanwhile, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was elated with his team's display in Delhi, with David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen coming in for special praise from him.

“We are happy of our performance. We expected the wicket to getter as the night wears on. There are areas we can improve on. I think the way Ishan batted, he made it look easy. He put our spinners under pressure. That was a proper batting display,” Temba Bavuma told Star Sports.

“David carried his form, properly supported by Rassie. It was a good wicket, probably reading the situation better and (corrections needed) going to the death options earlier and taking away the boundary balls. We have a lot of belief on Rassie. He takes it slowly and takes it on at the end. He is the guy who sees us through. With David, makes it very explosive. It was hot but wasn’t as humid. There's a quick turnaround so boys will have to be hydrated,” the Proteas captain added.