Pandya shines on return as India crush South Africa by 101 runs in T20I Series opener

Continuing their dominant run in the shortest format, India relied on an all-round performance from Hardik Pandya to overpower South Africa by 101 runs in the opening match of the five-match series at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday. With this win, India took a 1-0 lead in the series.

Pandya emerged as the star of the contest, smashing a belligerent unbeaten 59 off 28 balls to propel India to a commanding total of 175, before chipping in with a wicket as the Indian bowlers combined to skittle the Proteas out for 74 in just 12.3 overs.

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However, Shubman Gill’s much-awaited comeback lasted only two balls, with Lungi Ngidi dismissing the Indian vice-captain for four in the opening over to give South Africa the perfect start. The visitors tightened their grip soon after, with Ngidi striking again in the third over to remove Suryakumar Yadav.

India’s captain looked in fine rhythm early on, finding a six and a four, before a mistimed lofted shot resulted in Aiden Markram taking a sharp catch at mid-on. With three wickets down inside the powerplay, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma steadied the innings and guided India to 40/3 after six overs.

Abhishek looked set to accelerate but fell shortly after the fielding restrictions were lifted, with Lutho Sipamla breaking the partnership at a crucial moment. The middle overs saw a lull in scoring as Varma and Axar Patel rotated the strike without finding consistent boundaries. Varma briefly shifted momentum with a massive 89-metre six off Anrich Nortje in the 10th over, but his innings ended on 26 off 32 balls.

Axar contributed valuable runs, stitching partnerships with Varma and later with Hardik, but it was the Baroda all-rounder who carried the innings. Pandya’s fearless approach stood out as he hammered six fours and four sixes in a commanding knock that lifted India from 50/3 to a competitive total. Cameos from Shivam Dube (11) and Jitesh Sharma (10) added late impetus as India closed on 175/6.

In reply, the Proteas never recovered after losing Quinton de Kock for nought, and their innings further derailed as the Indian bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout.

Dewald Brevis (22) offered some resistance, but there was no support at the other end, with Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel each taking two wickets. Dube also joined the act, dismissing the last man, Lutho Sipamla, for 2.

The two teams will now meet in the second match at Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh on December 11.

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 (Dewald Brevis 22; Axar Patel 2/7, Arshdeep Singh 2/14, Jasprit Bumrah 2/17) by 101 runs.