Pandya powers India to 101-run rout; SA bowled out for lowest T20I score
Pandya powers India to 101-run rout; SA bowled out for lowest T20I score
India post 176 and ride Hardik Pandya’s all-round display to a 101-run victory as South Africa fall to a record-low T20I total in Cuttack.
Cuttack: India opened their T20 World Cup 2026 preparations with a resounding 101-run victory over South Africa at the Barabati Stadium, powered by Hardik Pandya’s all-round brilliance and a disciplined bowling performance. Chasing 176, South Africa’s innings fell apart almost immediately. Arshdeep Singh struck with his second delivery, removing Quinton de Kock for a duck and then dismissing Tristan Stubbs in the third over, stalling the early aggression. Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis tried to rebuild, but Axar Patel’s introduction inside the powerplay brought an instant breakthrough as the South African skipper was bowled for 14. Suryakumar Yadav noted his team’s plans in a press session, highlighting the balance India were aiming for in the coming games.
Hardik Pandya, returning from injury, made an impact with the ball as well. His very first delivery removed David Miller, amplifying South Africa’s trouble. The collapse accelerated, with only Marco Jansen offering a brief counterattack before Varun Chakravarthy ended his stay. Jasprit Bumrah then achieved a personal milestone, taking his 100th T20I wicket by dismissing Brevis, and Axar Patel accounted for Anrich Nortje soon after. Shivam Dube wrapped up the innings by removing Lutho Sipamla, as South Africa folded for just 74 in 12.3 overs, their lowest total in T20I history.
India’s chase began shakily as Lungi Ngidi struck with the ball, dismissing Shubman Gill in the first over and later Suryakumar Yadav, who briefly countered with a boundary-laden cameo. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma steadied the innings to 40/2 after six overs, but Abhishek’s dismissal off Sipamla stalled the momentum briefly. Pandya’s presence lit up the innings, and his all-round role helped steady the ship before India exploded late to set up the dominant victory. The win gives India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, with the next match scheduled in New Chandigarh.
Looking ahead, the team management will want to carry this momentum into the rest of the series, especially given the upcoming conditions expected to favour batters on the Barabati outfield and the possible adjustments in the playing XI as the squad builds towards the T20 World Cup next month.
Cover image source: India vs SA first T20I | Hardik back with a bang as India goes one up in style 🔗
