In the first T20I of the South Africa tour of India 2025, India defeated South Africa by 101 runs at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
The visitors won the toss and put India to bat first. The innings for India began poorly, with Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav departing early, with Lungi Ngidi striking twice in the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma (17) appeared to be on fire but was unable to capitalise on his early momentum. Tilak Varma (26) and Axar Patel (23) then formed crucial middle-overs partnerships to steady the innings, rotating strike smartly but failing to rack up frequent boundaries. Hardik Pandya (59*) set off the fireworks with a magnificent unbeaten knock. Playing at a strike rate of 210.71, his power-hitting changed the game totally, particularly in the closing overs, when he punished Anrich Nortje and Lutho Sipamla. Jitesh Sharma delivered a useful cameo to propel India to a solid 175.
SA’s chase unravelled quickly. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Quinton de Kock for a duck, and Tristan Stubbs fell shortly after. Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis temporarily counterattacked, but as Markram left and Brevis followed at 68/7, the downfall was inevitable. India’s bowlers applied unrelenting pressure, forcing risky strokes. No South African batter surpassed 25, and just three reached double digits. The squad crumbled for a dismal 74, with their innings lasting only 12.3 overs.
India delivered a nearly flawless bowling performance. Axar Patel was brilliant, taking 2/7 in his two overs and dominating the middle overs with accuracy. Jasprit Bumrah unleashed classic stump-to-stump brilliance for 2/17, dismissing the dangerous Brevis. Arshdeep struck early with 2/14, while Varun Chakaravarthy‘s mysterious spin plagued the middle order, netting 2/19. Even Shivam Dube picked up the final wicket to cap off a vicious collective bowling performance.
Lungi Ngidi was South Africa’s most efficient bowler, taking 3/31 while extracting strong bounce and capturing important top-order wickets. Sipamla also contributed with two wickets, while Marco Jansen bowled economically. Nortje and Maharaj suffered the most as they failed to stop Hardik’s late attack. Overall, SA bowled brilliantly for 14 overs before losing control at the death.
With this win, India took the series lead by 1-0, with four more contests to go.
Scorecard:
India: 175-6, Overs 20, Hardik Pandya 59*, Lungi Ngidi 3/31
South Africa: 74-10, Overs 12.3, Dewald Brevis 22, Axar Patel 2/7
