During the fifth T20I match against South Africa, one of Hardik Pandya`s sixes hit the cameraman at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Later, Pandya was seen sharing a wholesome moment with him, as he apologised to the cameraman, shared a hug and gave him a bit of ice treatment to lessen the pain.
During the match, the ball hit the cameraman so ferociously that Team India`s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, who was sitting in the dugout, also stood up and took notice.
Despite being hit, the cameraman continued with his duty.
In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pandya said that he was a lucky man that he did not get hit higher. The cricketer also kept the icebag on the cameraman`s arm to make sure that the pain would subside.
“God was with me because it did not hit him above that (above his arm) and hit him where he would just feel a bit of bruising. He was a lucky man that he did not go higher. I would say sorry to him and check on him. I have seen around all these 10 years I have been playing for India. I keep saying `hi` to him. Thankfully, he is fine,” the 32-year-old cricketer said in a video posted.
Heroes with Heart! 💙
Hardik Pandya 🤝 Cameraman 🎥#TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @hardikpandya7 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Cn0YLBc6Ee
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 20, 2025
Facing just 25 deliveries, Pandya 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.
He was also named the “Player of the Match” for his blistering performance. The win also helped the “Men in Blue” to clinch the five-match T20I series by 3-1.
They 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. It will be interesting to see if the “Men in Blue” manage to defend their T20 World Cup title.
(With ANI Inputs)