NEW DELHI: South African pace legend Dale Steyn has hailed India all-rounder Hardik Pandya as a "superhero" who "operates at another level mentally" and exudes an unmatched aura, following Pandya's brilliant performance in the fifth T20I.

Pandya's 63 included the second fastest T20I fifty for India, while Tilak Varma's fluent 73 helped India post a commanding 232-run target, setting up a 30-run win over South Africa in Ahmedabad on Friday.

"Hardik was fantastic - he's transcended sportsman into celebrity territory, walking out like a superhero in a scripted movie plot where nobody alters his plan," said Steyn on JioStar.

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He added, "It's not a bad attitude; it's pure dominance, an aura where nobody else can match what he does. You see it in his stance and presence - he's operating at another level mentally, unbreakable in a game that's all about mental battles. All these players are skilled, but he's elevated beyond."

Steyn criticised the South African batsmen's cautious approach against India's strike bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy, saying it ultimately backfired on the visitors.

"It's the Bumrah effect - you can't let him bowl four overs without damage. South Africa played it safe, surviving him while attacking others, but once he got Quinton de Kock, it triggered Hardik's wicket, then Chakaravarthy's flow.

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"Chasing 230-240 demands fighting fire with fire, you can't let elite bowlers dictate. Bumrah always creates that window for others - South Africa should've gone after him harder, as he'll get you out anyway if you just wait."

On Chakaravarthy's dominance over South Africa's middle order, Steyn admitted that the wily bowler has a "clear edge" over their batters.

"Many South Africans struggle to pick Varun Chakaravarthy - Aiden Markram reads him best but still gets out to him often because he plays aggressively. Others like Ferreira get completely foxed by his soft prods and uncertain spin.

"He has a clear edge over their middle order; even Markram’s now cautious, which is the last mindset a batter wants against him," Steyn said.

(With PTI Inputs)