Decimation Mode! Sanju Samson Injures Umpire, Hardik Pandya Muscles Delivery Into Cameraman During IND vs SA 5th T20I [WATCH]

The Indian batters looked to take on the attack right from the word go in the ongoing IND vs SA 5th T20I today (December 19) as they aim to seal the five-match series against the Proteas.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who earned his place back in the India Playing XI at the top of the order after Shubman Gill was ruled out due to injury, gave a testament to his batting prowess by registering a quickfire 22-ball 37 and gave India a flying start.

It was during Samson’s innings during the ninth over of the match that he tried to hit one straight down the ground but failed to find the required elevation. The ball headed straight into the hands of bowler Donovan Ferreira who couldn’t hold onto it and it deflected and hit umpire Rohan Pandit on his shin. Given the power of the shot, the impact was brutal as Pandit eventually fell to the ground before being attended by medics.

Watch the video of the incident below.

Pandit wasn’t the only casualty of the night with Hardik Pandya also ending up hitting a cameraman with his explosive batting. On the second ball of the 12th over, his first of the match, Pandya announced his arrival with a lofted drive for six. Unfortunately, the ball hit the cameraman at long off, prompting the Indian physio to come and treat him.

Watch it below.

Thankfully, for both the umpire and cameraman, the injuries weren’t serious and they were able to carry on.

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Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma fifties propel India to a massive 200-plus total

Speaking about the IND vs SA 5th T20I, it was absolute carnage from the India batters as they posted a towering 231/5 in 20 overs. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma got India to a fiery start with a fifty-run stand before Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya took over the reins. The premier all-rounder became the second fastest Indian to hit a T20I fifty in just 16 balls, after Yuvraj Singh’s 12-ball feat in 2007.

While Pandya finished on 63(25), Tilak posted 73(42) to power India and set up a daunting chase for South Africa. The Men in Blue lead the series 2-1.

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