India kicked off the T20I sequence towards South Africa in commanding trend, securing an enormous 101-run victory within the opening T20I on the Barabati Stadium. After posting a aggressive 175/6 on a sluggish floor, the hosts produced a sensational all-round bowling show to bundle out South Africa for simply 74 in 12.3 overs.
Hardik Pandya powers India to 175 after early setbacks
Put in to bat, India confronted early strain as Shubman Gill (4 off 2) departed shortly regardless of a crisp boundary. Abhishek Sharma tried to inject momentum with a energetic 17 off 12, however South Africa stored chipping away, thanks largely to Lungi Ngidi‘s incisive spell that eliminated each openers.
With wickets falling often, India wanted stability. Tilak Varma (26 off 32) and Axar Patel (23 off 21) supplied some resistance, however the innings really ignited when Hardik Pandya walked in and unleashed a counter-attacking masterclass. The Indian star smashed 59 off simply 28 deliveries, peppering the boundary with six fours and 4 towering sixes. His assault shifted the momentum decisively, lifting India from a modest complete to a aggressive one.
Late cameos from Shivam Dube (11 off 9) and Jitesh Sharma (10 off 5) ensured India completed strongly. Among the many South African bowlers, Ngidi stood out with spectacular figures of three/31, whereas Lutho Sipamla picked up two wickets however proved costly.
India’s bowlers rip by means of South Africa’s batting
Chasing 176, South Africa wanted a strong begin however as an alternative walked straight into India’s disciplined tempo assault. Arshdeep Singh struck within the opening over to take away Quinton de Kock for a duck, whereas Jasprit Bumrah‘s sharp traces stored the strain mounting.
Skipper Aiden Markram (14) and Tristan Stubbs (14) tried to stabilise the innings, however each fell simply as they regarded set. Dewald Brevis offered the one notable resistance with a brisk 22 off 14, exhibiting glimpses of his explosive potential, however India’s spin duo quickly tightened the noose.
Varun Chakaravarthy (2/19) and Axar Patel (2/7) created havoc by means of the center overs, exploiting the floor completely. Pandya chipped in with a wicket, and Shivam Dube capped off the innings with a scalp in his very first over. South Africa’s decrease order collapsed and not using a struggle, with solely Marco Jansen (12 off 12) exhibiting transient aggression. India’s collective bowling brilliance meant South Africa folded for a mere 74, marking one in every of their most underwhelming T20I performances in recent times.
Additionally READ: IND vs SA: Fans fume as India drop Sanju Samson in the first T20I against South Africa
Right here’s how followers reacted:
An emphatic win within the #INDvSA T20I sequence opener 🥳#TeamIndia register a 1⃣0⃣1⃣-run victory in Cuttack to go 1⃣-0⃣ up 🙌
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/tiemfwcNPh@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/mw3oxC5AHw
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 9, 2025
New threads 🧵, identical Magician 🪄 pic.twitter.com/VuhI6fzVSx
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) December 9, 2025
The Pandya knock was one of many higher T20 innings in a very long time. Simply appeared like he was batting on a special pitch. The innings had the whole lot. pic.twitter.com/8zuPEUeED3
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) December 9, 2025
India DESTROY South Africa! 🔥🇮🇳
SA bowled out for simply 74, their lowest ever, as India clinch the first T20I by 101 runs! 💥
Scorecard: https://t.co/5FHw91y0Zw#Cricket #cuttack #T20I #INDvSA #india #ArshdeepSingh #jaspritbumrah pic.twitter.com/k6DkYDjsPY
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 9, 2025
Hardik Pandya is India’s MVP, an asli influence participant. With him in group India play with 12 gamers – good pacer, nice finisher. How a lot india missed him.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 9, 2025
Good evening from Cuttack! 👊#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/bLHs2tOzKW
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 9, 2025
Strong win from group India. Seemed preferred a beneath par rating however defended like champion by Indian bowlers. Hardik’s comeback was strong. Arshdeep singh is so essential for this group,he confirmed with early wickets.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 9, 2025
Began with a 𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂 💥 pic.twitter.com/aSUfciqg5q
— Lucknow Tremendous Giants (@LucknowIPL) December 9, 2025
Bro so GOATed that there’s not even a single alternative of him in nation of 1.5 billion folks. Hardik Pandya My GOAT. 😭🐐 pic.twitter.com/vTBSeAWJP9
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) December 9, 2025
🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨
India takes the sequence opener by 101 runs, going 1‑0 up within the 5‑match T20I sequence. 🏏
Nonetheless a lot to play for heading to the second T20I on Thursday as #TheProteas Males will intention to stage the sequence. 🇿🇦#Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/vHUHx1nA0t
— Proteas Males (@ProteasMenCSA) December 9, 2025
– Virat Kohli in ODI sequence.
– Hardik Pandya in T20I sequence.
TWO SWAGGER BOYS OF INDIAN CRICKET. 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/mqE1ik2ecn
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) December 9, 2025
Hardik Pandya in stripes… 𝐇𝚰𝐓𝐒 𝐃𝚰𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2EaKSuxwEK
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 9, 2025
– On a pitch the place nearly each batter struggled.
– Opponents couldn’t even cross 100.
– No batter with 15+ runs had a strike price over 150.
– Hardik Pandya got here in down the order and smashed at 200+.
– Dragged India to a par rating all by himself.
– No different batter even reached… pic.twitter.com/YhROX1fqni— Mahi Patel (@Mahi_Patel_07) December 9, 2025
Additionally READ: India’s opening conundrum intensifies as Suryakumar Yadav clarifies roles of Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill ahead of South Africa T20Is
