NEW DELHI: Hardik Pandya created history during the third T20I of the five-match series against South Africa in Dharamsala on Sunday, becoming the first pace bowler in men’s T20I history to achieve a rare double.

The right-arm pacer reached the milestone of 1,000-plus runs and 100-plus wickets in the shortest format when he had South Africa batsman Tristan Stubbs caught behind to register his 100th T20I dismissal.

Before him, only spin-bowling all-rounders – Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Nabi, and Sikandar Raza – had achieved the milestone.

With his latest breakthrough, Pandya also became only the third Indian men’s bowler to reach the milestone of 100 wickets in T20 internationals, joining an elite list that includes Arshdeep Singh (112) and Jasprit Bumrah (101).

The achievement further underlined Pandya’s value as a genuine all-rounder, combining his impact with the ball with crucial contributions with the bat in the shortest format.

Pandya’s sensational comeback

Pandya announced his return from a nearly two-month injury layoff in emphatic fashion, smashing an unbeaten 59 off 28 balls and returning figures of 1/16 in the first T20I against South Africa.

“My mindset was really about coming back stronger, bigger, better. Injuries test you mentally and at the same point in time, it kind of puts a lot of doubts… and a lot of credit to the loved ones,” said Pandya in a video posted on bcci.tv.

“I’ve stood strong, I’ve done a lot of things with grace and that has helped me to become even more confident, back myself and really trust my skillset… I really believe in myself as a player. I’ve always believed that if you don’t believe in yourself, how would others believe you,” Pandya, who will be a key member in India’s T20 World Cup campaign in two-months’ time, added.