 "Hardik Pandya Equals Rohit's Dot Ball Record in India's Defeat to South Africa")
New Delhi – India’s unstoppable winning streak in T20 cricket faced an abrupt end as South Africa clinched a significant victory in the second T20 match, defeating India by a solid margin. This match, played on November 10, marked India’s first T20 defeat in 12 games since the last T20 World Cup. While many factors contributed to India’s loss, Hardik Pandya’s batting approach stood out, especially with his unusually high count of dot balls in the match.
Hardik Pandya’s Inning Raises Questions
In this game, Hardik Pandya faced considerable challenges in scoring smoothly, ending his innings at 39 runs from 45 balls—a performance marked by low boundaries and a sluggish pace. After joining the crease in the eighth over, he remained there until the last ball of the inning but struggled to maintain a consistent flow. Out of the 45 balls he faced, Pandya played 25 as dot balls, meaning nearly 56% of his total balls faced yielded no runs.
While Pandya did manage to hit 4 fours and 1 six, his overall strike rate was only 86.44, a far cry from the aggressive tempo usually associated with his playstyle. His inability to rotate the strike not only slowed down India’s scoring but also put pressure on his batting partner, Arshdeep Singh, who remained on the other end waiting for opportunities to contribute.
Tactical Decisions on Singles Under Scrutiny
Pandya’s decision-making in the final overs particularly puzzled fans and experts alike. Despite the need for quick runs, Pandya often chose to keep the strike himself, foregoing opportunities to take easy singles. His reluctance to bring Arshdeep on strike added to the stagnation in India’s run rate, limiting the potential for any late-innings acceleration.
When India’s innings finally wrapped up, the score stood at a modest 124 for 6 wickets, a total that proved insufficient against a strong South African lineup.
A Record to Forget: Pandya Matches Rohit’s Dot Ball Count
In the process, Hardik Pandya matched a dubious record held by Rohit Sharma. Rohit, in a high-pressure match against South Africa on October 2, 2025, also played 25 dot balls, though he still managed a score of 106 from 66 balls at a strike rate of 160.60. The critical difference was Rohit’s consistent boundary-hitting, which helped offset the impact of the dot balls. With 12 fours and 5 sixes, Rohit’s aggressive play helped him amass a century, even though India still lost that match.
KL Rahul and Kohli Also Hold Dot Ball Records
Interestingly, other notable Indian players, including KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, have also faced challenges with dot balls in past matches. KL Rahul holds the record for most dot balls in a T20 inning by an Indian, with 33 dots in a game against South Africa on September 28, 2022. Rahul scored 51 runs from 56 balls with a strike rate of 91.07, hitting 2 fours and 4 sixes. In that match, India went on to win by 8 wickets, thanks to a solid team effort.
Virat Kohli, often praised for his adaptability, had his own encounter with dot ball pressure during a crucial game against Pakistan on February 27, 2016. Kohli played 28 dot balls in a 51-ball inning, but his 49 runs proved valuable given the low target and India’s weak start. Kohli’s ability to adjust and support his team through that slow inning highlighted the tactical approach needed under such circumstances.
Dinesh Mongia’s Dot Ball Experience in India’s First T20
Dinesh Mongia, who represented India in its very first T20 International in 2006, faced a similar challenge. Against South Africa in Johannesburg, Mongia played 27 dot balls but emerged as India’s top scorer with 38 runs from 45 balls. India won that match by 6 wickets, with contributions from other players like Virender Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik.
Hardik Pandya’s Performance Under Spotlight
Hardik Pandya’s batting performance has now sparked discussions around his approach, especially in a T20 format that emphasizes quick scoring and strike rotation. While he has delivered several match-winning performances in the past, this match revealed the importance of tactical adaptation, particularly when partnerships are required to stabilize the innings.
India’s next match offers Pandya a chance to bounce back, and fans will be keen to see if he adapts his game to deliver more balanced innings, combining power-hitting with effective strike rotation. As India aims to rebuild its winning momentum, players like Pandya will be critical in ensuring the team’s performance aligns with the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket.
