Hardik Pandya’s explosive half-century powered India to a commanding victory as South Africa were bowled out for 74.
India defeated South Africa by 101 runs in the first T20I in Cuttack. The visitors were bowled out for 74, their lowest-ever T20I total, while chasing a target of 176.
South Africa, after winning the toss, put India in to bat. Pacers Lungi Ngidi and Lutho Sipamla struck early blows. They removed Shubman Gill (4), Suryakumar Yadav (12), and Abhishek Sharma (17) to reduce India to 48 for 3.
Hardik Pandya then steered India’s recovery with an unbeaten 59 from 28 balls. His innings included six fours and four sixes. Useful contributions from Tilak Varma (26) and Axar Patel (23) helped India post 175 for 6.
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Ngidi was the most successful South African bowler, taking 3 for 31. Sipamla finished with 2 for 38. In reply, South Africa’s chase collapsed immediately. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs in his first two overs. The innings never recovered, with wickets falling regularly.
Jasprit Bumrah claimed his 100th T20I wicket by removing Dewald Brevis for 22. Spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel took two wickets each. South Africa were bundled out for 74 in 16.5 overs, handing India a 1-0 series lead.
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