Hardik Pandya produced one of the most athletic fielding moments of the India vs New Zealand series during the fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam, executing an outrageous run-out to dismiss Kiwi captain Mitchell Santner. Although India lost the match by 50 runs, Pandya’s throw from the deep left a lasting impression, once again highlighting his all-round value for the team ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Pandya’s stunning direct hit
The pivotal moment came in the 17th over when New Zealand were pushing to accelerate their innings. Mitchell Santner had edged the ball towards short third-man region and Daryl Mitchell, from the other end, called for a quick single. Hardik Pandya, stationed inside the circle, reacted instantly. With perfect presence of mind and balance, he gathered the ball and released a picture-perfect throw at full strength at non-striker's end. The ball hit the stumps directly, and despite a valiant dive by Santner, the replays confirmed New Zealand skipper was short & he had to walk back to the pavilion for 11. It was a fielding play that drew gasps from spectators and praise across social media for its accuracy and athleticism.
The broader match situation
Despite the brilliance in the field, India struggled to contain New Zealand’s batters. After being put in to bowl, India conceded 215 for 7, with Tim Seifert scoring a rapid 62 and Devon Conway contributing 44 as the Kiwis posted a challenging total.
During India’s chase of 216, they never found the required momentum. Early wickets and a spin threat from the New Zealand attack kept the hosts under pressure. While Shivam Dube produced a spectacular 65 off 23 balls to inject life into the innings, India were eventually dismissed for 165 in 18.4 overs, resulting in a comprehensive 50-run defeat.
Pandya is the true all-rounder
Hardik Pandya’s reputation as one of India’s most valuable all-round assets has been built over years of contributions with bat, ball and in the field. Known for his power hitting in the middle order and ability to bowl crucial overs under pressure, Pandya has regularly delivered match-defining performances. Across formats, he has been a go-to option for India in high-leverage situations, combining pace bowling, lower-order hitting and sharp fielding with leadership experience.
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The run-out of Santner highlighted yet another dimension of his utility: elite fielding. Even in a match where he did not bowl and was dismissed cheaply with the bat, Pandya’s reaction time, athleticism and accuracy showed why he is often described as a difference-maker. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, performances like this are reminders of the breadth of skills he brings to the Indian side.
Match result and series context
New Zealand’s win in the fourth match pulled the five-match series to 3-1, as they bounced back after getting thrashed in the earlier games. India now face the final test in 5th T20I, with lessons from the Vizag defeat, including the need for more consistent batting support and discipline against aggressive bowling, shaping their approach for the mega event.
