South African fast bowling great Dale Steyn has lavished extraordinary praise on Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, describing him as a player who functions on a superior mental level. Steyn's comments came after Pandya's explosive performance powered India to a commanding 30-run victory over South Africa in the fifth T20I match on Friday.
Pandya's 'Superhero' Persona and India's Dominant Total
Speaking on the JioStar platform, Steyn likened Pandya's on-field presence to that of a larger-than-life character. He stated that Pandya has transcended the role of a mere sportsman and now walks out with the confidence and authority of a superhero, a figure who dictates terms and refuses to yield. Steyn emphasized that this was not arrogance but sheer dominance, evident in Pandya's body language, stance, and his ability to remain mentally untouchable in a high-pressure game.
This mental fortitude was on full display during the match. Hardik Pandya smashed a blistering 63 runs, which included India's second-fastest T20I half-century. He was ably supported by Tilak Varma's composed 73, which laid a solid foundation. Their efforts propelled India to a daunting total of 232 runs, which ultimately proved insurmountable for the visiting South African side.
Steyn's Critique of South Africa's Batting Approach
While applauding Pandya, Dale Steyn did not hold back in his analysis of South Africa's flawed chase. He specifically criticized their batting strategy against India's key bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy.
Steyn felt the Proteas' plan to simply survive Bumrah's spell and target other bowlers backfired spectacularly. He pointed out that Bumrah's impact extends beyond just taking wickets. By allowing him to bowl without applying pressure, South Africa handed the initiative to India. The pivotal moment, according to Steyn, was when Bumrah dismissed opener Quinton de Kock, which swung the momentum decisively in India's favor. This breakthrough opened the floodgates, leading to further wickets, including Pandya's, and allowed Chakaravarthy to settle into a dangerous rhythm.
Steyn stressed that when chasing massive targets in the range of 230 to 240, teams cannot afford a wait-and-watch approach. He argued that attacking elite bowlers, even at the risk of losing wickets, is necessary because they are likely to break through regardless of the batter's intent.
The Chakaravarthy Conundrum for South Africa
On the topic of Varun Chakaravarthy, Steyn admitted that the spinner holds a clear psychological and technical advantage over South Africa's middle order. He revealed that several batters struggle to read his variations, with captain Aiden Markram being the only one who deciphers him reasonably well. However, Steyn noted that even Markram often gets out while attempting to attack him.
Other batters, like Donovan Ferreira, were described as being completely unsettled by Chakaravarthy's subtle changes in pace and spin. Steyn concluded that the spinner's control is so potent that it has forced a naturally aggressive player like Markram into a more cautious mindset, which he believes is the worst possible approach when facing a bowler of Chakaravarthy's caliber.
The comprehensive win helped India seal the series and provided a significant confidence boost, with players like Hardik Pandya showcasing the aggressive, dominant cricket that defines the modern T20 era.
