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Hardik Pandya calls selflessness his biggest USP after match-winning knock vs South Africa

Hardik Pandya’s blistering half-century and his emphasis on team-first cricket shaped India’s dominant win over South Africa in the first T20I in Cuttack.

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5 months ago

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Hardik Pandya delivered a clinical all-round performance as India secured a dominant win over South Africa in the first T20I in Cuttack. His unbeaten 59 off just 28 balls not only revived India’s innings but also earned him the Player of the Match award. Speaking after the victory, Pandya said his ability to put the team’s needs above everything else remains his strongest asset.

Pandya reflects on his explosive knock and mindset

Walking in at a tense moment, Pandya counterattacked with calculated aggression, helping India post 175/6 — a total that eventually proved far beyond South Africa’s reach. He said adapting to the pitch quickly and trusting his game was key.

“I had to back my shots. I realised the wicket had a bit of spice. It was more about timing the ball, not breaking the ball,” Pandya said. He added that he was satisfied with how he paced his innings.

Pandya, who has spent the past several months working on his fitness, described the performance as personally rewarding. “These last 50 days, being away from loved ones, being at NCA, making sure that all these things are covered… it was satisfying when the results come like this,” he said.

‘What India wants, not what Hardik Pandya wants’

Pandya stressed that his biggest strength lies in being flexible and team-centric.
“As a cricketer, I have never been fussy about what roles I have. It doesn’t matter what Hardik Pandya wants, it is about what India wants. That is my biggest USP and that is what has helped me,” he stated.

He also explained the approach behind attacking spinner Keshav Maharaj, saying he simply capitalised when the ball entered his hitting zone.

India dominate with ball to seal 1-0 lead

India’s total, built by crucial contributions from Tilak Varma (26), Axar Patel (23) and Pandya’s late flourish, proved more than enough. Lungi Ngidi picked three wickets for South Africa, while Lutho Sipamla claimed two.

South Africa faltered early in the chase and were bowled out for 74 in 12.3 overs, with Dewald Brevis offering the only brief resistance. India’s bowlers — Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel — all picked two wickets each, while Pandya and Shivam Dube took one apiece.

With leadership presence and batting brilliance, Pandya played a defining role in giving India a 1-0 advantage in the five-match series.

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IPL 2026 playoff race tightens as RCB and CSK feature in key qualification projections

RCB and CSK feature in updated IPL 2026 playoff qualification projections, with Bengaluru at 92.6% and Chennai at 41.7% as the race tightens.

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21 hours ago

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May 14, 2026

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The IPL 2026 playoff race is intensifying as teams move deeper into the league stage, with qualification scenarios highlighting a closely contested battle for the top four spots.

According to recent playoff probability projections reported in media coverage, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) currently hold a strong position with a 92.6% chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Their consistent performances have placed them among the leading contenders for a top-four finish.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), meanwhile, remain in the mix but face a more challenging path ahead. Their qualification probability stands at 41.7%, meaning the five-time champions will need strong results in their remaining fixtures to stay in contention.

The updated projections underline how competitive the tournament has become, with small changes in form significantly impacting playoff chances at this stage of the league.

While only select team probabilities have been highlighted in the available data, the overall playoff race remains open, with several teams still competing for the remaining qualification spots as the league phase progresses.

The coming matches are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the final top four standings for IPL 2026.

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Who is Sahil Parakh? Teenager makes IPL debut for Delhi Capitals vs RCB

Sahil Parakh, an 18-year-old batter from Maharashtra, made his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals against RCB in IPL 2026.

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2 weeks ago

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April 27, 2026

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Sahil Parakh, an emerging batter from Maharashtra, made his Indian Premier League debut for Delhi Capitals during their 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

The 18-year-old was handed his maiden cap as the franchise made changes to its playing XI, looking to test fresh talent in a crucial stage of the tournament.

Opens innings alongside KL Rahul

Parakh was included as an opening batter and partnered experienced wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul at the top. The move reflected Delhi Capitals’ intent to experiment with their batting combination and give exposure to young players in high-pressure games.

Short stay at the crease

The debut outing did not last long for the youngster, as he was dismissed early in the innings. Despite the brief appearance, the opportunity marked an important milestone in his career.

Promising name from domestic circuit

Parakh is a left-handed batter who has impressed in age-group and domestic cricket, earning attention for his performances at the state level. His selection in the Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2026 underlines the franchise’s focus on nurturing young talent for the future.

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Who is Praful Hinge? Young pacer who made instant impact with match-turning IPL debut spell

Praful Hinge grabbed attention with a three-wicket over on his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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1 month ago

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April 14, 2026

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Praful Hinge bowling for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL

Praful Hinge is an emerging Indian fast bowler who grabbed attention after a remarkable debut in the Indian Premier League. Representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, the young pacer made headlines by taking three wickets in a single over, a rare and impactful feat in T20 cricket.

His performance came against Rajasthan Royals, where he turned the game with a decisive spell, announcing his arrival on the big stage.

Domestic cricket background

Hinge hails from Nagpur and has been associated with the Vidarbha cricket team in domestic cricket. Like many cricketers rising through India’s competitive system, his progress at the domestic level paved the way for his IPL opportunity.

While detailed statistics from his domestic career remain limited in public reports, his selection in the IPL reflects recognition of his potential and performances.

Bowling style and strengths

Praful Hinge is a right-arm fast bowler known for:

  • Maintaining a disciplined line and length
  • Ability to generate movement off the pitch
  • Effectiveness in short, impactful spells

His debut spell highlighted composure under pressure, especially in a high-intensity league like the IPL.

Breakthrough IPL moment

Making an immediate impact in the IPL is never easy, but Hinge’s three-wicket over on debut stands out as a defining moment. Performances like these often play a key role in shaping a young cricketer’s early career and gaining attention from teams and selectors.

A promising start

Praful Hinge’s debut has positioned him as a young fast bowler to watch. While it is still early in his career, such impactful performances suggest potential for further opportunities in domestic and franchise cricket.

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