India started from the t20i series against South Africa A fashion that secured a massive 101-run victory in the opening T20I at the Barabati Stadium. After posting a competitive 175/6 on a sluggish surface, the hosts produced a responsive all-round bowling display to bundle out South Africa for just 74 in 12.3 overs.
Hardik Pandya powers India to 175 after early setbacks
Put into bat, as India faced early pressure Shubman Gill (4 OFF 2), got going quickly despite a crisp boundary. Abhishek Sharma 12 out of 12 tried to nail down a live momentum tip but South Africa, thanks to a huge number SuccessA cutting spell that removes both keys.
With wickets falling regularly, India needed stability. Do not pray (26 off 32) and Akhar Patel (23 off 21) showed some resistance, but when shots caught fire Hardik Pandya Go and open the counterattacking Masterclass. The Indian star smashed a 28-delivery 59 peppering the boundary with six fours and four towering sixes. The attack has decisively transformed India from a modest contender to a contender.
Come on late Shivam Dubey (11 off 9) and Jitesh Sharma (5 off 10) ensured India finished strongly. Among South African bowlers, Ngidi stood out with impressive figures of 3/31 Nothing sipamla took two wickets but proved costly.
India’s bowlers are brought up by South Africa’s batting
176, South Africa’s chase needed a solid start, but instead immediately went to India’s disciplined PACE attack. Arshdeep Singh shot at opening to remove Quinton de Kock for a duck, Jasprit BumrahSharp lines kept the pressure mount.
Shaver Aiden Markram (14) and Tristan Stubbs (14) attempted to stabilize shots, but both fell as they were set. Dewald brevis With 22 off 22 showing glimpses of his explosive ability, he put up some slight resistance, but India’s spin duo soon snuck up on him.
Varun Chakravarthy (2/19) and Akhar Patel (2/7), created a stir through the middle overs, exploiting the surface to perfection. Pandya was bowled by a wicket and Shivam Dubey the first one tore off the shots with a scalp on his head. South Africa’s lower order collapsed without a fight Marco Jansen (12 out of 12) showing short aggression. India’s collective bowling brilliance saw South Africa fold for 74 as South Africa recorded one of the highest T20I performances in recent years.
Read: IND VS SA: Fano stream as India’s Sanju Samson in India’s first T20I against South Africa
Here is the reaction of the fans:
A one stroke victory in it #Indvsa T20I series opener 🥳#Teamindia Celebrate a 1⃣0⃣1⃣-working win to go 1⃣-0⃣ up 🙌
ScoreCard ▶️ https://t.co/tiemfwcnph@Idfcfirstbank pic.twitter.com/mw3oxc5ahw
– BCCI (@bcci) December 9, 2025
New themes 🧵, same wizard 🪄 pic.twitter.com/vuhi6fzvsx
– KolkataknightRiders (@kkriders) December 9, 2025
The Pandya Knock was one of the better T20 knocks in a long time. It just looked like he was hitting on a different pitch. Shots had everything. pic.twitter.com/8zupeueed3
– Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasguptya7) December 9, 2025
India destroyed South Africa! 🔥🇮🇳
SA only 74, India, India’s lowest, 1st T20I closed as 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, India’s MVP, is an Asli impact player. Play 12 with Team India with him – good pacer, great finish. How much he missed her.
– Mohammad Kaif (@mohammadkaif) December 9, 2025
A very good night! 👊#Indvsa pic.twitter.com/bhs2tozkw
– Kings of Punjab (@punjabkingsipl) December 9, 2025
A solid winner from Team India. Liked a score below, but the Indian bowlers defended like champions. Hardik’s return was solid. Arshdeep Singh is so important to this team, he showed with early wickets.
– Irfan Pathan (@irfanpathan) December 9, 2025
It started with A 𝐈𝐇𝐓 💥 pic.twitter.com/asufciqg5q
– Lucknow Super Giants (@Lucknowipl) December 9, 2025
Bro, he said there is no such place in the country of 1.5 billion people. Hardik Pandya Goat. 😭🐐 pic.twitter.com/vtbseawjp9
– verbless⁴⁵ (@ ozflesscricket) December 9, 2025
🚨 Match Result 🚨
India take the series opener by 101 runs to go 1-0 up in the five-match T20I series. 🏏
Still a lot to play for going into the second T20I on Thursday #Proteas The men will aim to level the series. 🇿🇦# Visible pic.twitter.com/vhuhx1na0t
– Proteas men (@proteasmencsa) December 9, 2025
– Virat Kohli in Odi series.
– Hardik Pandya in T20I series.
Two sweeps of Indian cricket. 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/mqe1ik2ecn
– Tanuj (@imtanujsingh) December 9, 2025
Hardik Pandya in lanes … 𝐇ι𝐓𝐒 𝐃ι𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2eaksuxwek
– Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 9, 2025
– In a field where almost every corpse is fighting.
– The opponents could not even cross 100.
– No batter ever had a strike rate of over 150 with 15+ runs.
– Hardik Pandya went down the order and broke on 200+.
– Led India by one point by himself.
– Even another batter did not even reach … pic.twitter.com/yhrox1fqni– Mahi Patel (@mai_patel_07) December 9, 2025
