IND vs SA 2025: There is no replacement for Hardik Pandya in India, says R Ashwin

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has credited Hardik Pandya‘s brilliant performance in the first T20I of the five-match series between India and South Africa. Hardik secured Player of the Match award for his scintillating, unbeaten 28-ball 59 in India’s series-opening clash against the Proteas.

Ashwin stated that the the opposition did not have adequate resources to counter Hardik. He also said that it never felt that Hardik was returning from an injury and was playing after a long layoff.   

“India were five down for literally nothing, from there they were able to score freely and get 170 plus. Hardik Pandya played a brilliant knock, it did not seem like he went anywhere from the injury. Looked in pristine form, but South Africa did not have enough ammunition in their bank to restrict India,” shared Ashwin in a video on his YouTube channel.

Before admitting that India did not have a like-for-like replacement for Hardik, the erstwhile spinner conceded that the 32-year-old looked at ease while batting in the middle.

“The power that Hardik Pandya has, especially against spin. That bat swing is something that I would trade anything for. After watching his innings, I feel like he is supremely confident. He is not thinking about how many wickets have fallen and how much his score is. If the ball is there to hit, he is hitting it. He is very clear in the head and he is very confident of the way he is batting. There is no replacement for Hardik in India at this point of time, and I hope we can really find one,” he added.

Hardik even picked up a wicket in the two overs he bowled, conceding 16 runs. India took the lead, winning the contest by a comprehensive margin of 101 runs. South Africa were bowled out for 74 in 12.3 overs in response to India’s 175/6 in the first innings.

The ace all-rounder had sustained an injury to his left quadriceps during the Men in Blue’s title-winning Asia Cup campaign in the UAE. He recently made his return to competitive cricket by featuring for Baroda in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.