Hardik Pandya’s All-Round Brilliance Helps India Crush South Africa by 101 Runs in T20I Opener

Cuttack, Dec 2025 : Hardik Pandya’s all-round performance, backed by incisive bowling from India’s pace and spin attack, powered the Men in Blue to a commanding 101-run victory over South Africa in the first T20I of the five-match series at Barabati Stadium. With the win, India seized a 1-0 lead, setting the tone for their T20 World Cup 2026 preparations.

Defending 176 runs, India got off to a dream start. Arshdeep Singh struck immediately, removing Quinton de Kock for a duck off just the second delivery. Tristan Stubbs tried to stabilize the innings but fell victim to the Indian pacer again in the third over. These early breakthroughs set the tone for a clinical bowling performance that would leave South Africa reeling.

The Protea middle order, led by Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis, attempted to steady the ship, scoring at a steady pace. However, India’s tactical bowling changes inside the powerplay, particularly Axar Patel’s introduction, resulted in Markram falling for 14 runs off as many balls. The early removal of South Africa’s key batters left the visitors vulnerable.

Hardik Pandya returned to bowl after a long gap and made an immediate impact. His first delivery dismissed the dangerous David Miller, giving India yet another vital breakthrough. Pandya’s incisive bowling, coupled with disciplined spells from Varun Chakaravarthy and Arshdeep, ensured that South Africa’s batting unit could never establish partnerships. Marco Jansen attempted to inject some hope with a couple of towering sixes, but Chakaravarthy’s clever bowling trapped him, restricting the scoring and creating further pressure.

India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was just one wicket shy of 100 T20I scalps, achieved the milestone in style. He dismissed Dewald Brevis in the 11th over and doubled the celebrations by also taking Keshav Maharaj’s wicket in the same over. Soon after, Anrich Nortje fell to Axar Patel, leaving the Proteas teetering. The final nail in the coffin came when Shivam Dube induced a catch by Abhishek Sharma, dismissing Lutho Sipamla. South Africa were bowled out for their lowest T20I total ever, 74 runs, highlighting India’s dominance.

Earlier, India’s innings had been punctuated with early jolts. Shubman Gill’s return after injury was cut short by Lungi Ngidi, who removed him in the first over. Ngidi struck again to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav after a brief counterattack, leaving India reeling. Captain Suryakumar showed glimpses of his brilliance, hitting a six and a four, including his trademark ‘supla’ stroke, before falling to a mistimed shot.

The innings was steadied by Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, who took India to 40/2 at the end of the powerplay. However, the middle overs were testing, as Varma and Axar Patel struggled to maintain momentum. Varma hit a massive 89-meter six off Anrich Nortje but could only manage 26 runs off 32 deliveries. Axar offered stability, but the innings truly pivoted around Pandya, whose composed yet aggressive knock of 59 with six boundaries and four sixes* lifted India to 175/6 in 20 overs. Cameos from Shivam Dube (11) and Jitesh Sharma (10) added crucial late runs.

On a pitch that made stroke play difficult, Pandya’s innings stood out. While the top order labored, he shifted gears with clarity and confidence, ensuring India posted a competitive total despite the early setbacks. The South African bowlers, led by Ngidi’s triple strike and Marco Jansen’s disciplined spell, created constant pressure, but Pandya remained unfazed, anchoring India’s innings brilliantly.

With a convincing win in the opening game, India now leads the five-match series 1-0. The two sides will meet again for the second T20I on Thursday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. India’s combination of sharp bowling and all-round batting has sent a strong signal as they gear up for the T20 World Cup 2026.

Brief Scores: India 175/6 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 59*, Tilak Varma 26; Lungi Ngidi 3-31, Lutho Sipamla 2-38) beat South Africa 74 all out (Dewald Brevis 22, Tristan Stubbs 14; Axar Patel 2-7, Arshdeep Singh 2-14) by 101 runs.

Team Maverick