Cuttack: Team India thrashed South Africa by 101 runs in the first T20 International here on Tuesday night to take the lead in the five-match series.
The Men in Blue delighted the capacity crowd of 46,000 at Barabati Stadium by skittling out South Africa for 74 in 12.3 overs after Hardik Pandya lifted the home team to a fighting 175/6 on a tricky pitch.
It was South Africa’s lowest ever T20I total, as India won their first T20 clash in three encounters versus the Proteas at this magnificent venue in Cuttack. India had come out on the losing side in 2015 and 2022.
With the ball moving around, Arshdeep Singh picked up a wicket each in his first two overs – having Quinton de Kock caught by Abhishek Sharma at slip and getting Tristan Stubbs edge to wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma.
A 24-run partnership, highest in the SA innings, followed, before the visitors nosedived from 40/2 to 74 all out in a matter of 7 overs!
Axar Patel (2/7), Jasprit Bumrah (2/17) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/19) joined the party, while Pandya and Shivam Dube chipped in with a wicket apiece to complete Proteas’ misery.
Jitesh was outstanding behind the wickets, with 4 catches.
BRIEF SCORES
India 175/6 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 59*; Lungi Ngidi 2/31).
South Africa 74 in 12.3 overs (Dewald Brevis 22; Axar Patel 2/7, Arshdeep Singh 2/14, Jasprit Bumrah 2/17, Varun Chakravarthy 2/19).
Result: India bt SA by 101 runs.
Player of the Match: Hardik Pandya.
