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Despite a turbulent journey as captain of Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya continues to shine as a cricketer. The flamboyant all-rounder etched his name in the record books by becoming the first Indian to achieve the rare double of 5000 runs and 200 wickets in T20 cricket, joining an elite group of global T20 greats.
This incredible feat places Pandya alongside legends like Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Shane Watson, and Shakib Al Hasan, making him only the 12th player worldwide to reach this milestone in T20s. For Indian cricket, it’s a proud moment, as no one else from the country has managed to combine batting and bowling excellence across formats like Pandya.
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A Bright Spark Amidst MI’s Struggles
While Mumbai Indians have been struggling under his captaincy—finishing last in IPL 2024 and currently placed 8th after four matches in IPL 2025—Hardik has continued to deliver with both bat and ball.
In Match 19 of IPL 2025 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede Stadium, Pandya made headlines by reaching the landmark. He had earlier won the toss and opted to bowl first, but RCB got off to a flying start, posting 73/1 in the powerplay, their second-best powerplay score at Wankhede.
However, Pandya’s moment came later when he delivered with the ball. He dismissed Virat Kohli and Liam Livingstone, two dangerous batters capable of taking the game away. These wickets helped him reach the 200-wicket mark, and with over 5000 runs already in the bag, the all-rounder achieved a milestone that no other Indian has touched in T20 cricket.
Pandya’s T20 Legacy
Hardik Pandya’s T20 journey, marked by explosive batting, timely breakthroughs, and unmatched confidence, has been pivotal for India and his IPL franchises. While his leadership continues to be under scrutiny, his personal contributions remain invaluable.
With this feat, Pandya has further cemented his reputation as one of the most complete T20 all-rounders in modern cricket. Whether with the bat, ball, or as a game-changer in crunch moments, Hardik Pandya continues to lead by example.
