IND vs SA 5th T20I: Robin Uthappa compares Hardik Pandya with THIS legendary cricketer

Hardik Pandya (Pic: X/@hardikpandya7)

In the fifth T20I match against South Africa, Team India emerged victorious by 30 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

During the match, Team India's premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya's performance was the highlight of the game. Facing just 25 deliveries, he smashed 63 runs, with the help of five boundaries and the same number of maximums. Later, he also bagged one wicket by conceding 41 runs in three overs.

Speaking about Hardik, the former Team India cricketer Robin Uthappa compared him with legendary West Indies cricketer Sir Vivian Richards.

"His energy on the field is exactly like Viv Richards. He comes in with that swagger, and it's a great attitude for youngsters to learn from. That is the energy the opposition feels, a sense of intimidation even before you've played a ball. It's a phenomenal attitude to carry," Uthappa said on Cricket Live.

Former South African pacer Dale Steyn also heaped praise on Pandya by saying he walks out in the match like a superhero and showcases pure dominance.

"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 is operating at another level mentally, unbreakable in a game that is all about mental battles. All these players are skilled, but he's elevated beyond," said the former pacer.

The 32-year-old cricketer also became the fifth Team India batsman to complete 2000 runs in T20I cricket. He has now joined the elite list of players such as Rohit Sharma (4231 runs), Virat Kohli (4188 runs), Suryakumar Yadav (2788 runs) and KL Rahul (2265 runs), who have achieved the feat.

His half-century was also the second-fastest for India in the format's history. Pandya took just 16 balls to accomplish the feat.

The "Men in Blue" will now engage in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, before heading into the T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be played in India and Sri Lanka.

(With ANI Inputs)