Eman 
ZeeaK 
The South Africa tour of India 2025 T20I series opener witnessed a complete dismantling of the visitors as India secured a dominant 101-run victory at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. The match will be forever etched in the records as the day South Africa registered their lowest-ever total in T20I history.
Innings 1: Hardik Pandya’s Explosive Comeback
After being put in to bat, the Indian top order faced early turbulence against the lively Cuttack surface and South African pacers. Openers Shubman Gill and captain Suryakumar Yadav both fell cheaply to a superb spell from Lungi Ngidi (3/31), leaving India struggling.
- The Rescue Mission: When India looked vulnerable, Hardik Pandya, making his return from injury, launched a spectacular counter-attack. The all-rounder was ruthless and precise, smashing an unbeaten 59 runs off just 28 deliveries. His power-hitting included six fours and four towering sixes, effortlessly turning a struggling total into a competitive one.
- Support Cast: Steady contributions from Tilak Varma (26) and Axar Patel (23) provided a platform, but it was Pandya’s late-innings blitz that powered India to a final score of 175/6.
Innings 2: South Africa’s Record Collapse
Chasing 176, the South African innings was a short-lived disaster. The Indian bowlers, working in clinical unison, gave the visitors no space to recover from the early strikes.
- Instant Pressure: Arshdeep Singh set the tone immediately, removing Quinton de Kock for a duck off the second ball. Wickets then fell relentlessly, with the middle order unable to handle the pace and spin combination.
- Pandya’s All-Round Magic: Hardik Pandya capped his Player of the Match performance by claiming the key wicket of David Miller with his very first delivery.
- Shared Spoils: The wickets were distributed among the attack with remarkable efficiency: Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy each claimed two wickets. Bumrah, in the process, reached the significant milestone of 100 T20I wickets.
- Historical Low: The collapse culminated in South Africa being bowled out for a meager 74 runs in 12.3 overs, the lowest total in their T20I history, handing India a massive 101-run victory and a 1-0 series lead.
For live scores and analysis of the second T20I in New Chandigarh, visit the ultimate cricket destination: www.crickethighlights.online
Image Credits : My Cricket highlights 2
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