India vs South Africa Highlights, 1st T20I: India thrash South Africa by 101 runs in a ruthless all-round performance

Sub-100 all-out totals for SA in T20Is
74 vs IND, Cuttack, 2025
87 vs IND, Rajkot, 2022
89 vs AUS, Johannesburg, 2020
95 vs IND, Johannesburg, 2023
96 vs AUS, Cape Town, 2020
98 vs SL, Colombo (RPS), 2018

Lowest all-out totals vs India in T20Is
57 - UAE, Dubai, 2025
66 - NZ, Ahmedabad, 2023
70 - IRE, Dublin (Malahide), 2018
74 - SA, Cuttack, 2025
80 - ENG, Colombo (RPS), 2012

India opened the 5-match T20I series with a statement performance. The innings began shakily, with early wickets putting pressure on the top order, but Hardik Pandya changed the mood of the contest with a fierce, match-shaping knock on a tricky surface. While others searched for rhythm, Hardik’s clean striking lifted India to a far stronger total than seemed likely at one stage.

Once the bowlers took charge, the match tilted sharply. South Africa’s chase never settled, losing de Kock, Stubbs, Markram and Miller in quick succession to slip into deep trouble before even reaching 50. Dewald Brevis tried to steady the innings with some eye-catching shots, but the regular fall of wickets and a climbing required rate left the visitors far behind.

India’s attack kept hitting the right lengths, using the conditions smartly to create constant pressure, and the result was inevitable as South Africa folded for 74. Hardik’s counterattacking innings and the bowlers’ discipline combined to give India a commanding victory to start the series.

Shivam Dube delivered the final strike as South Africa were bowled out cheaply to hand India a dominant 101-run victory. In the 12th over, Dube removed Lutho Sipamla with a sharp short ball that flew to Abhishek Sharma at backward point, ending the chase tamely.

South Africa were skittled out for just 74, completing a crushing win for India after a commanding first-innings total of 175.

100 wickets in all three international formats
Lasith Malinga
Tim Southee
Shakib Al Hasan
Shaheen Afridi
Jasprit Bumrah

Axar Patel has knocked over Anrich Nortje to push South Africa to the brink. Nortje went for a drive but left a huge gap, and the ball crashed into the stumps. India tighten their grip as South Africa slip to nine down.

SA 65-9 after 11.2 overs

Jasprit Bumrah strikes again in the same over as Keshav Maharaj falls for a duck. A sharp short ball cramps him, and Jitesh Sharma does the rest behind the stumps. Bumrah now has two in the over and moves further ahead after becoming only the second Indian to reach 100 T20I wickets.

Jasprit Bumrah strikes in his comeback over and removes Dewald Brevis for 22. A sharp short ball hurries the batter, the top edge flies to Suryakumar Yadav at cover. Bumrah’s 100th T20I wicket confirmed after a quick no-ball check.

Varun Chakaravarthy bowled Marco Jansen. Chakaravarthy fires it in flat and quick just outside off, the ball turns back in sharply and goes past Jansen’s bat as he tries to play it to the leg side. It beats him for pace and crashes into the stumps, sending Marco Jansen back to the pavilion.


SA 68/6 in 9.5 overs.

Smashed straight back over mid-off. A length delivery in his hitting zone outside off, Jansen strides forward and sends it soaring into the crowd.


SA 61/5 in 9 overs.

Most wickets in Overs 1-6 for India in T20Is
47 - Arshdeep Singh (SR: 15.9)
47 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SR: 24.5)
33 - Jasprit Bumrah (SR: 25.4)
21 - Axar Patel (SR: 16.2)
21 - Washington Sundar (SR: 18.2)

South Africa are five down as Varun Chakaravarthy strikes again. Donovan Ferreira edges a rising delivery and Jitesh Sharma takes another sharp catch behind the stumps. India completely on top.

Hardik Pandya picks up a big one as David Miller falls for 1. A length ball takes the inside edge, brushes the body and carries to Jitesh Sharma, who completes a sharp catch. India tighten their grip early.

SA 41-4 after 6.1 overs

Axar Patel strikes with his very first ball as Aiden Markram is bowled for 14. A skidder on middle and leg beats him on the inside edge and crashes into leg stump. South Africa lose their third wicket in the powerplay.

RSA 40-3 after 5.1 overs

Dewald Brevis and Markram take charge! Dewald Brevis smashes 4 and 6 in the fifth over, while Markram keeps the strike ticking. South Africa move to 40-2 after five overs, looking to rebuild confidently.

Aiden Markram fights back for South Africa! After the early double blow, he pulls off a boundary and follows it with a massive six over deep mid-wicket. South Africa reach 28-2 at the end of the fourth over, with Markram looking to anchor the innings.

Arshdeep Singh strikes again! After dismissing Quinton de Kock for a duck, he sends Tristan Stubbs back in the second over. Stubbs, looking to build a partnership, edges a good-length delivery to Jitesh Sharma at slip, leaving South Africa struggling at 16-2. Arshdeep is showing why he’s such a potent threat with the new ball.

After the early strike of de Kock, India keep the pressure on as Jasprit Bumrah bowls a tidy first over. South Africa reach 4/1, with Stubbs and Markram settling in cautiously. Excellent running and sharp fielding on display. Score: 10-1 after 2 overs.

Arshdeep Singh makes an instant impact as Quinton de Kock falls for a duck! The left-arm pacer pitched it up with a hint of outswing, and de Kock’s drive edges to Abhishek Sharma at second slip. India strike early, 0-1.

India finish on 175/6, powered by Hardik Pandya’s explosive 59 off 28 balls, including three sixes and five fours. Early wickets of Gill and Suryakumar put India under pressure, but Pandya’s quickfire fifty rescued the innings. Jitesh Sharma chipped in with 10 off 5. India set a competitive total for South Africa to chase.

Score: India 175/6 (20 overs)

Hardik Pandya and Jitesh Sharma fire as India finish the 19th over with 18 runs. Hardik smashes a six and a four, reaching 150 for India, while Jitesh adds a six and a single. India are now 163-6, with the lower order injecting crucial momentum into the innings.

Score: 163/6 after 19 overs

Shivam Dube has been dismissed, bringing India’s sixth wicket down. Facing Donovan Ferreira, Dube swung and missed a full, straight delivery on middle stump, and the ball crashed into the stumps. He departs for 11 from 9 balls, leaving India at 131-6.

Shivam Dube is adding some much-needed momentum with two well-timed fours off Lungi Ngidi, while Hardik Pandya keeps the strike ticking with singles. India are steadily rebuilding after losing early wickets, looking to set a competitive total.

Score: IND 131-5 (16 overs)

Hardik Pandya is in sublime touch as he attacks Anrich Nortje, hitting two fours and benefiting from a five-wide gift to keep the scoreboard ticking. Shivam Dube joins him at the crease, and together they are rebuilding momentum after the mid-innings wobble.

Score: IND 121-5 (15 overs)

Axar Patel hit a sensational six earlier in the over to take India past 100, but Lutho Sipamla bounced back immediately, removing him on the very next ball. Axar c Ferreira b Sipamla 23(21) [6s-1]. Hardik Pandya remains at the crease, keeping India in the hunt after a flurry of quick wickets.

Score: IND 104-5 (14 overs)

Hardik Pandya is in sensational form, smashing two towering sixes in the 13th over off Keshav Maharaj. Alongside Axar Patel, who’s rotating the strike well, India add 16 runs in the over. Pandya is showing why his experience is invaluable in the middle order, punishing anything in his hitting zone.

Score: IND 96-4 (13 overs)

Tilak Varma falls to Ngidi, caught brilliantly by Marco Jansen at fine leg. The promising batsman had been looking to accelerate, but a short delivery on leg sent the ball straight to the fielder. India now sit at 76-4, with Axar Patel at the crease trying to steady the innings.

Score: IND 76-4 (11.4 overs)

Donovan Ferreira keeps things tight for South Africa, conceding just 5 runs. Axar Patel and Tilak Varma pick up singles when possible, but the over applies some pressure on the Indian batters.

Score: India 76 for 3

Tilak Varma shows his intent with a massive six over deep square leg, while singles and clever placement from both him and Axar Patel keep the scoreboard moving. Nortje’s pace tests the batters, but the duo manage to handle it well.

Score: India 71 for 3

Axar Patel and Tilak Varma rotate the strike well, finding gaps and capitalising on loose deliveries. Axar punches a 3-run edge past short third man, while singles flow for both batters. A wide adds to India’s total as the partnership steadily rebuilds the innings.

Score: India 63 for 3

Abhishek Sharma brings some momentum with two early boundaries in the over but falls attempting to guide a slower ball down to fine leg. Marco Jansen takes a sharp catch to dismiss him. India lose their third wicket at a crucial stage.

Score: India 48 for 3

Tilak Varma takes charge in this over, glancing two deliveries beautifully for boundaries off Jansen. The rest of the balls see disciplined defence, keeping the scoreboard ticking steadily. India move along at a measured pace after the early wickets.

Score: India 40 for 2

Sipamla keeps things controlled even after a four through byes that wrong-foots de Kock. Abhishek collects a single, while Tilak Varma sees out most of the over with solid defence before taking one off the final ball. South Africa maintain the pressure with disciplined lines.

Score: India 32 for 2

Abhishek Sharma smacked a short ball deep into the crowd for a powerful pull shot. Tilak Varma picks up a single early in the over, but Jansen keeps things tight apart from that one big hit. India add eight runs and look to rebuild after the early blows.

Score: India 26 for 2

A roller-coaster over with South Africa landing a huge blow. Suryakumar Yadav started in style, whipping a four over mid-wicket and then producing a trademark pick-up six over deep square leg. But just as the momentum shifted, Ngidi struck back.

On the fourth ball, SKY tried to loft a good-length delivery over mid-on, only for the ball to hold in the surface. He mistimed it completely and offered a simple catch to Markram. A promising cameo ends, and India lose their second wicket inside three overs.

Score: India 18/2 after 3 overs

Marco Jansen kept India under firm control with a brilliant, disciplined over that allowed just a single run. Suryakumar Yadav struggled to get going, facing five dot balls in a row and failing to pierce the infield despite a couple of crisp strokes. Abhishek Sharma remained at the non-striker’s end for most of the over as India searched for early momentum.

Score: India 7/1 after 2 overs

India had a shaky start as Shubman Gill lasted only two balls on his comeback. After slicing a four to third man off his second delivery, Gill tried to charge Ngidi but mistimed a lofted shot straight to Marco Jansen at mid-off. Earlier, Abhishek Sharma picked up a single despite extra bounce. A big early setback for India.

Shubman Gill confirmed he is completely fit again after recovering from a neck issue that kept him out of action during India’s recent Test series. Speaking ahead of the opening T20I against South Africa, Gill said both his body and mind are in the right place as India begin their final run of matches before the 2026 T20 World Cup.

“I’m definitely fine. My body feels perfectly fine. I spent a bit of time at the COE and I’m perfectly fine physically, and mentally feeling ready,” Gill said. He explained that his injury was more serious than initially thought. “I had a kind of disc bulge in my neck which was hitting the nerves. When I went there, I had a bit of a spasm before the start of play. And when I played the match, I think I got a strain on my neck and got a bulge which hit the nerves. I had to go to the hospital for a couple of days, but I recovered well after that.”

Gill admitted that watching the Test series from the sidelines was frustrating. “Watching my team play the Test matches didn’t go as we would have hoped for. But we played the one-dayers pretty well, and hopefully we’ll be able to top off the T20s here.”

With only ten T20Is left before the World Cup, Gill emphasised the importance of peaking at the right time. “The last 10 T20s now we have before the start of the World Cup, so hopefully we’ll find our momentum and rhythm. Momentum is one thing any team wants to strive for heading into the World Cup.”

Gill said India’s priority is understanding conditions and nailing combinations. “There might be surfaces with a lot of dew, or some without much. So finding the right kind of combinations for those conditions will be key for us.”

South Africa captain Aiden Markram explained his decision to bowl first, pointing to conditions that are expected to play a big role in Cuttack. “We’re going to bowl first. Expecting conditions to be good here in India,” he said at the toss. He highlighted the challenge of the evening dew, something visiting teams regularly struggle with. “Quite a bit of dew around, might be a constant throughout the game but might get a bit worse later,” Markram noted.

With South Africa switching formats quickly after their previous assignments, Markram admitted the transition can be tricky. “It’s the way things work, lot of the games end up playing in the mind. Need to get yourself in the right frame of mind,” he said.

The captain also emphasised how crucial this tour will be in the build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be played in similar conditions. “Fantastic build-up to the World Cup. From a conditions point of view, it’s going to be great. You can’t simulate these, certainly not back in South Africa, so that’s a massive thing,” he explained.

Markram believes facing India, one of the strongest white-ball sides in the world, offers the perfect benchmark. “Testing yourself against one of the better outfits in the world. Looking forward to that, seeing where we are,” he said.

Even with the World Cup still months away, Markram feels this series gives South Africa a valuable head start. “We’ve got another couple of months after this to fine-tune things and hopefully be ready for that World Cup,” he added.

For South Africa, tonight is more than just the start of a series. It is a test, a preview and an opportunity to understand exactly what it will take to compete on Indian soil when the stakes are highest.

Suryakumar Yadav spoke candidly after being put in to bat first, admitting that even the Indian camp was unsure about how the surface would behave. “We were a little confused looking at the wicket. Yesterday it was looking a little greener, but today we were a little confused,” he said. Despite that uncertainty, he welcomed the challenge. “It’s okay, we’re happy to bat first. It gives a good challenge to put runs on the board and come out here and defend.”

He also addressed the ever-present dew factor, something teams struggle with in evening T20Is. “It becomes a little challenging for the bowlers, you can’t run away from the fact. But going from here on, I think that’s going to remain for a really long time. If we keep focusing on that, the main job will be in trouble,” he noted. Instead, he wants his team to “not think about it and have it as a challenge.”

Looking at India’s packed T20 calendar before the 2026 World Cup, Suryakumar called the upcoming matches vital preparation. “We had a good series in Australia. Now we play five T20s against South Africa and then we play against New Zealand, so 15 good T20s. I think it’s good preparation.” He added that India will stick to their attacking style. “Same thing what we’ve been doing in the last few series: be fearless, enjoy the game, and be at it for the next three hours.”

Suryakumar also confirmed the four players who miss out in the series opener. “It’s a very good headache to have,” he said of the selection dilemma, before revealing: “Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana” are the ones sitting out.

South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh

South Africa have won the toss in Cuttack and captain Aiden Markram has decided to field first. With conditions expected to offer a bit of early movement and plenty of dew later in the evening, the decision feels in line with what most teams prefer at this venue.

As India face South Africa in the first T20I at Cuttack, two players stand out: India’s Hardik Pandya and South Africa’s Dewald Brevis. Hardik’s return from injury strengthens India’s squad. Since 2024, India have been nearly unstoppable in T20Is with him in the team, winning 25 of 28 matches. His ability to bat deep, bowl effectively, and provide balance makes him the key to India’s strategy. With Jasprit Bumrah on the verge of 100 wickets and Hardik at 98, milestones will add extra motivation.

Brevis, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the most destructive T20 batters globally against spin. Since his debut in 2023, he has struck at 225 against spin, averaging 60, and comes into this series in prime form. His performance will test India’s three-to-four spinner attack in Cuttack.

India are nearly at full strength with Shubman Gill back after injury, joining Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Axar Patel in the playing XI. The team has minor selection questions, mainly around the No. 8 slot and the wicketkeeper role. South Africa, meanwhile, hope to field their strongest XI for the first time in months, with Aiden Markram captaining and David Miller and Anrich Nortje back.

Cuttack has been kind to South Africa in the past, with two previous T20I wins here. The pitch typically offers something for everyone: seamers, spinners, and dew to trouble bowlers. Conditions are expected to be overcast but rain-free.

This series is crucial for both teams, providing experience, role clarity, and a glimpse at how India and South Africa could shape up for the T20 World Cup 2026. Fans can expect exciting contests, milestones, and strategic battles from the very first match.

India and South Africa clash in the first T20I on Tuesday in Cuttack, with both teams using this five-match series to sharpen their preparations ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Since contesting the thrilling 2024 final in Barbados, India have maintained their dominant run, winning 26 of 30 T20Is, while South Africa have struggled, winning nine and losing 16.

India enter this series with a largely settled squad. Continuity and role clarity have helped players settle into their positions. With the return of Shubman Gill from a neck injury and Hardik Pandya after a quadriceps issue, India are close to full strength. Hardik’s presence remains key, as India have won 25 of 28 T20Is he has played since 2024. The team will still need to decide the No. 8 slot and whether Jitesh Sharma continues as wicketkeeper ahead of Sanju Samson.

South Africa, on the other hand, are still finding their best combinations. The retirement of Heinrich Klaasen and frequent absences of key players have unsettled the side. Captain Aiden Markram leads the team back from rest, with David Miller and Anrich Nortje returning from injury. Their lineup will aim to provide clarity ahead of the World Cup.

Cuttack’s pitch offers a balanced contest. Early movement assists seamers, spinners get some grip, and dew could make bowling tricky. The last two T20Is here have gone South Africa’s way, including a memorable win in 2015 and a tighter contest seven years later.

Expect key battles like Hardik Pandya’s all-round impact against South Africa’s middle order, and Dewald Brevis, who is destructive against spin with a strike rate of 225. With India chasing milestones such as 100 T20I wickets for Bumrah and Hardik, and 1,000 runs for Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson, the series promises high-stakes action from the first ball.

India’s T20I setup is set for a shake-up as Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya return to the squad ahead of the five-match series against South Africa starting Tuesday at Cuttack. Their inclusion raises immediate questions about the middle order, particularly the role of Sanju Samson, who has seen his position shift in recent months.

Samson had been India’s go-to opener last year, forming a productive partnership with Abhishek Sharma. However, with Gill promoted to vice-captain, Samson was moved down the order during the Asia Cup. He has been in fine touch in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 51, 43, 46, and 73, but captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed the order will remain unchanged, with Gill opening and Samson in the middle.

“Sanju did really well when he opened the innings, but Shubman had played before him in the Sri Lanka series, so he deserves to take that spot,” Suryakumar said ahead of the series opener.

Adding more competition, Jitesh Sharma is pushing for a spot in the middle order. In India’s last T20I against Australia, Jitesh replaced Samson as wicketkeeper-batter and scored an unbeaten 22 to help India level the series 1-1. His performance puts Samson under direct scrutiny and creates a healthy contest for spots.

“We gave Sanju opportunities. He is flexible to bat anywhere from No. 3 to 6, and both [Samson and Jitesh] can play multiple roles. That’s an asset and a good headache for us,” Suryakumar added.

India and South Africa meet in the first T20I on Tuesday, and the focus is firmly on captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill as they try to lift their form in the shortest format. After a 0-2 loss in the Test series and a tight 2-1 ODI win that saw Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli dominate the headlines, India now want to build momentum ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. South Africa remain one of the strongest contenders for the title, making this series even more important.

Suryakumar has been far from his best this year. The player who once ruled T20Is with back to back ICC T20 Player of the Year awards has struggled in 2024. In 17 T20Is, he has scored only 184 runs at an average of 15.33 and a strike rate of 127.77, with a top score of 47. There were a few reminders of his quality during the series in Australia where he made 84 runs across four innings, including an unbeaten 39 before rain stopped play.

Surya is also closing in on a major milestone. He needs 246 more runs to become the third Indian to complete 3,000 T20I runs after Rohit and Kohli. He has 2,754 runs from 95 matches with four centuries and 21 fifties.

Gill has also had a quiet return to T20Is. Since coming back after last year’s Sri Lanka tour, he has scored 259 runs in 12 matches at an average of 28.77 and a strike rate of 143.09. Six of those innings ended below 20. He is moving towards the 1,000 run mark with 837 runs so far.

The big question now is whether the captain and vice captain can lead India from the front and set the tone for the months ahead.

David Miller has said he has not spoken to head coach Shukri Conrad yet, but he plans to sit down with him soon to understand his role in South Africa’s ODI plans and the 2027 World Cup. Miller said his experience can still bring value, especially with many new players pushing for places. He accepted that nothing is guaranteed and that performances will decide if he stays in the mix.

He said he has not had proper conversations with Conrad but expects those discussions to begin now that he is back with the squad. With the ODI World Cup less than two years away and a large pool of players performing well, Miller wants clarity on where he stands. He believes he still has something to offer, but selection will depend on form over the coming months.

Miller returns to the side for the first time since the ICC Champions Trophy. He was the turning point of the 2024 T20 World Cup final when Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliant catch removed him at a crucial moment. Since that tournament, Miller, who turns 37 next year, has played only 10 white-ball matches for South Africa out of 54. His last outing included a century against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy semifinal.

He wants to continue playing for as long as possible. He said staying fit and thinking clearly under pressure are now his focus. At 36, he is training with more discipline, managing emotions better and working harder to make smart decisions during tight matches.

The India tour continues with the first T20I in Cuttack on Tuesday. After a 0-2 Test loss and a 2-1 ODI win for India, the attention now moves to a five-match T20I series with both sides fielding a mix of youth and experience.

South Africa Squad: Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Ottneil Baartman, Donovan Ferreira, Kwena Maphaka, George Linde

India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma(w), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana

The first T20I between India and South Africa at Barabati Stadium carries significance far beyond a bilateral contest. It marks the introduction of the venue’s first ever red-soil pitch, a surface known for pace, bounce and a batter-friendly character. With the 2026 T20 World Cup expected to feature similar conditions, this match becomes a practical testing ground.

India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav welcomed the challenge. He compared the preparation to studying for an exam over two years rather than cramming at the last minute. His message was clear: India’s build-up to 2026 is already well underway, and this series adds another layer to that process.

The team structure will be closely monitored. Shubman Gill marks his return from injury and will partner the attacking Abhishek Sharma at the top. Their pairing could play a pivotal role in shaping India’s approach. Hardik Pandya’s slight discomfort at training caused concern, but he is expected to feature, which keeps India’s balance intact.

South Africa enter with renewed strength. Aiden Markram resumes leadership duties and will open with Quinton de Kock. The middle order of Brevis, Stubbs and Miller brings power, while the return of Anrich Nortje adds venom to their attack. His past success against Gill and Surya places him at the centre of several key battles.

India have lost both previous T20Is against South Africa at this venue. With new conditions and returning stars on both sides, this match provides the perfect stage to reset records and test combinations ahead of a crucial World Cup cycle.