India crushed South Africa by 101 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. After being invited to bat, India posted 175/6 in 20 overs, powered by a blazing half-century from Hardik Pandya. He remained unbeaten on 59 off just 28 balls. Lungi Ngidi (3 for 31 in 4 overs) was the most successful bowler for South Africa, while Lutho Sipamla also picked up two wickets.
In reply, South Africa were bowled out for just 74 in 12.3 overs, losing the match by 101 runs. Axar Patel (2 for 7 in 2 overs), Arshdeep Singh (2 for 14 in 2 overs), Jasprit Bumrah (2 for 17 in 3 overs), and Varun Chakravarthy (2 for 19 in 3 overs) wrecked the South African batting line-up. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube took one wicket each.
With this victory, India took an early 1-0 lead in the series.
Early Difficulties for India
India realised from the opening ball that the pitch was sticky and would improve later in the night. Shubman Gill, returning after a neck injury, and captain Suryakumar Yadav both chipped simple catches to mid-off and mid-on off Lungi Ngidi.
India included three left-hand batters in the middle order to delay Keshav Maharaj’s introduction. But Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Axar Patel could not make an impact. Tilak and Axar together scored only 49 off 53 balls as South Africa’s tall fast bowlers extracted steep bounce.
Abhishek, who faced limited balls early, fell for 17 off 12 when Marco Jansen took another outstanding catch on this tour.
Hardik Pandya Shifts Momentum
Hardik Pandya walked in with India at 78 for 4 in the 12th over. At that stage, India risked finishing with a below-average score on a pitch expected to become easier for batting due to dew.
Aiden Markram tried Maharaj, believing Hardik’s record against left-arm spin would keep him quiet. Instead, Hardik attacked immediately. He hit Maharaj for two powerful no-look sixes and changed the game’s tempo.
Anrich Nortje troubled most Indian batters, but Hardik handled him well. He struck two boundaries—one by using Nortje’s pace and another by charging down for an off-drive. India collected 30 runs in the final two overs. Except Jansen, every South African bowler saw his figures damaged.
Hardik reached his fifty with a ramp shot off Nortje. That stroke made him only the fourth Indian to hit 100 sixes in T20 internationals. He finished with a match-changing 59 off 28 balls.
Arshdeep Singh Delivers with the New Ball
India needed early wickets because the pitch was likely to play better in the chase. Although Tristan Stubbs timed the ball well, Arshdeep Singh seized control.
He began by removing Quinton de Kock for a duck with an away-swinger that also nipped away. In his next over, he switched to wobble-seam and dismissed Stubbs for 14 off 9. Jitesh Sharma collected a sharp catch, the first of three for him.
Spinners Tighten the Grip; Bumrah Reaches a Landmark
Scoring looked slightly easier compared to India’s innings. However, India kept taking wickets regularly. No South African partnership lasted more than 16 balls.
Dewald Brevis briefly attacked Varun Chakravarthy, but Markram soon fell. He misjudged Axar’s length and lost his leg stump.
Hardik contributed again by removing David Miller first ball. Miller inside-edged onto his pad, and Jitesh completed a diving catch. Varun then dismissed Donovan Ferreira and Marco Jansen—one with pace and one with a slower ball.
The collapse continued. Jasprit Bumrah crossed 100 T20I wickets and became only the fifth bowler to reach the milestone in all three international formats.
Shivam Dube, selected partly for his bowling ability, wrapped up the innings with the final wicket. The performance gave India’s management another reason to feel satisfied.