Cuttack: After sealing the ODI series, India began the T20I leg against South Africa with a commanding win, clinching the first match by 101 runs. Batting first in Cuttack, India suffered early setbacks, but a blistering unbeaten 59 off 28 balls from Hardik Pandya – featuring four sixes and six fours – powered the hosts to a challenging total of 176.
In reply, South Africa’s batting line-up capitulated without a fight against the world champions and top-ranked Team India. Chasing 176, the visitors were bowled out for just 74 in 12.3 overs, never really threatening the target. Remarkably, South Africa lost their last five wickets for only seven runs in 18 balls.
All six Indian bowlers got among the wickets. Arshdeep Singh struck twice up front to jolt South Africa early, before spinners Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy took control with two wickets each. Jasprit Bumrah, brought back for a second spell, also claimed two scalps. When captain Suryakumar Yadav turned to Hardik Pandya with the ball, he removed David Miller with his very first delivery.
That moment evoked memories of last year’s T20 World Cup final, when Hardik dismissed Miller with a catch taken at the boundary by Suryakumar, showcasing remarkable athleticism and timing. To round it off, Shivam Dube was handed the ball for the first time in the match and struck with his third delivery, dismissing Lutho Sipamla. India thus wrapped up South Africa’s innings with 7.3 overs to spare. The second T20I will be played on Thursday in New Chandigarh.
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