Team India began the five-match T20I series in grand style with a massive 101-run victory over South Africa at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. It was a night where Hardik Pandya’s explosive batting, followed by India’s ruthless bowling attack, completely dismantled the Proteas.
South Africa were bundled out for just 74 in 12.3 overs, their lowest T20I total vs India, as the Men in Blue took a 1–0 lead in the series.
Match Overview
| Match | India vs South Africa, 1st T20I |
|---|---|
| Venue | Barabati Stadium, Cuttack |
| Toss | South Africa won, opted to bowl |
| India | 175/6 (20 overs) |
| South Africa | 74 all out (12.3 overs) |
| Result | India won by 101 runs |
| Series | India lead 1–0 |
Hardik Pandya Rewrites India’s Innings
India’s start was shaky at 48/3, with the top order falling early. But Hardik Pandya changed the game with a majestic:
59 off 28 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes)*
Strike Rate: 210.71
His innings lifted India from a tricky position to a strong total of 175/6.
Tilak Varma (26), Axar Patel (23), and Jitesh Sharma (10* off 5) provided important support during the middle and death overs.
India Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | 17 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 141.67 |
| Shubman Gill | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Suryakumar Yadav (c) | 12 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 109.09 |
| Tilak Varma | 26 | 32 | 2 | 1 | 81.25 |
| Axar Patel | 23 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 109.52 |
| Hardik Pandya | 59* | 28 | 6 | 4 | 210.71 |
| Shivam Dube | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 122.22 |
| Jitesh Sharma | 10* | 5 | 0 | 1 | 200.00 |
South Africa Collapse to 74 All Out
The chase never started.
Arshdeep Singh struck in the first over, removing Quinton de Kock for 0. From there, India’s bowlers showed extreme discipline and aggression.
India’s Bowling Heroes
- Axar Patel: 2/7 (2 overs)
- Arshdeep Singh: 2/14 (2 overs)
- Jasprit Bumrah: 2/17 (3 overs) – celebrated his 100th T20I wicket
- Varun Chakaravarthy: 2/19 (3 overs)
- Hardik Pandya: 1/16 (2 overs)
- Shivam Dube: 1/1 (0.3 overs)
Dewald Brevis played a lone hand with 22 off 14, but no other batter crossed even 15 runs.
South Africa Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Aiden Markram | 14 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 100.00 |
| Tristan Stubbs | 14 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 155.56 |
| Dewald Brevis | 22 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 157.14 |
| David Miller | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Donovan Ferreira | 5 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 71.43 |
| Marco Jansen | 12 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 100.00 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Anrich Nortje | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Lutho Sipamla | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Lungi Ngidi | 2* | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
Key Match Highlights
Largest Defeats for South Africa in T20Is (by runs)
- 146 vs England, 2025
- 135 vs India, 2024
- 111 vs Australia, 2023
- 107 vs Australia, 2020
- 106 vs India, 2023
- 101 vs India, Cuttack 2025
India’s Biggest Home Wins in T20Is
- 168 vs New Zealand, 2023
- 150 vs England, 2025
- 133 vs Bangladesh, 2024
- 101 vs South Africa, Cuttack 2025
- 93 vs Sri Lanka, 2017
Most Dismissals by Indian Wicketkeeper in a T20I Innings
- MS Dhoni – 5 dismissals (2018)
- Jitesh Sharma – 4 dismissals (Cuttack 2025)
Captain Reactions
Aiden Markram (South Africa)
- Pitch had tennis-ball bounce
- Batting effort “not acceptable”
- 175 was chaseable but SA fell short in execution
Arshdeep Singh (India)
- “Pitch had seam movement; hitting the seam was key”
- Happy to welcome Bumrah to the 100 T20I wickets club
- Praised India’s bowling unit for discipline
India’s Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep Singh | 2 | 14 | 2 | 7.00 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 3 | 17 | 2 | 5.70 |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | 3 | 19 | 2 | 6.30 |
| Axar Patel | 2 | 7 | 2 | 3.50 |
| Hardik Pandya | 2 | 16 | 1 | 8.00 |
| Shivam Dube | 0.3 | 1 | 1 | 2.00 |
Read more: India vs South Africa Head-to-Head Records in Test, ODI & T20I
Final Summary
India produced a complete performance with bat, ball, and in the field. After early setbacks, Hardik Pandya’s explosive fifty set up a competitive total. The bowlers then tore apart the South African lineup with relentless accuracy and smart execution.
With this huge win, India take a 1–0 lead in the five-match series and send a big message ahead of the T20 World Cup.
