India Started T20 series against South Africa In spectacular fashion, securing a massive 101-run win in the opening T20 match at the Barabati Stadium. After posting a competitive score of 175/6 on a slick surface, the hosts produced a sensational all-round bowling performance to bowl out South Africa for just 74 runs in 12.3 overs.
After initial setbacks, Hardik Pandya took India to 175 runs.
India had to face initial pressure after coming out to bat. Shubman Gill (2 out of 4) Was out quickly despite the quick boundary. Abhishek Sharma Tried to push the pace by scoring 17 off 12, but South Africa fell behind, largely thanks to lungi ngidiA sharp spell which removed both the openers.
With wickets falling continuously, India needed stability. Tilak Verma (26 out of 32) and Akshar Patel (21 off 23) offered some resistance, but the innings really ignited hardik pandya Went in and started a counter-attacking masterclass. The Indian star scored 59 runs in just 28 balls with the help of six fours and four skyscraper sixes. His attack changed the momentum decisively, and took India from a modest score to a competitive score.
late cameo from Shivam Dubey (9 out of 11) and Jitesh Sharma (5 out of 10) ensured India finished strongly. Ngidi led the South African bowlers with impressive figures of 3/31. lutho sipamla Took two wickets but proved costly.
India’s bowlers destroyed South Africa’s batting.
Chasing 176, South Africa needed a solid start, but faced India’s disciplined pace attack straight away. Arshdeep Singh hit in the opening over to remove quinton de kock For a duck, while Jasprit BumrahThe sharp lines had increased the pressure.
captain aiden markram (14) and Tristan Stubbs (14) attempted to stabilize the innings, but both fell as soon as they were set. dewald brevis Showed glimpses of his explosive ability and provided the only notable resistance by scoring 22 off 14, but India’s spin pair soon tightened the screws.
Varun Chakraborty (2/19) and Akshar Patel (2/7) wreaked havoc in the middle overs, taking full advantage of the surface. Pandya took one wicket and Shivam Dubey Finished the innings by taking one wicket in his very first over. South Africa’s lower order fell without a fight marco janson (12 out of 12) showing brief aggression. India’s collective bowling talent saw South Africa bowl out for just 74 runs, one of their most disappointing T20I performances in recent years.
Here’s how fans reacted:
emphatic victory in #INDvSA T20I series opener 🥳#TeamIndia Move 1⃣-0⃣ with a 1⃣0⃣1⃣ run win in Cuttack 🙌
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/tiemfwcNPh@IDFCFIRSTBANK pic.twitter.com/mw3oxC5AHw
– BCCI (@BCCI) 9 December 2025
New threads 🧵, same magician 🪄 pic.twitter.com/VuhI6fzVSx
– KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) 9 December 2025
Pandya’s innings was one of the better T20 innings in a long time. It seemed as if he was batting on a different pitch. Everything was there in the innings. pic.twitter.com/8zuPEUeED3
– Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) 9 December 2025
India destroyed South Africa!
South Africa were out for just 74 runs, their lowest ever score, as India won the first T20I by 101 runs!
Scorecard: https://t.co/5FHw91y0Zw#Cricket #cuttack #t20i #INDvSA #India #arshdeepsingh #JaspreetBumrah pic.twitter.com/k6DkYDjsPY
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 9 December 2025
Hardik Pandya is India’s MVP, a real impact player. Along with him, there are 12 players in Team India – good pacers, excellent finishers. How much India missed him.
– Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) 9 December 2025
Good night from Cuttack!#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/bLHs2tOzKW
– Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) 9 December 2025
Solid victory for Team India. It looked like the score was below average but the Indian bowlers defended it like champions. Hardik’s comeback was strong. Arshdeep Singh is very important for this team, he showed it by taking early wickets.
– Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) 9 December 2025
Started with 𝘼𝘆𝘆𝒥 pic.twitter.com/aSUfciqg5q
– Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) 9 December 2025
Bhai has become so famous that there is not a single replacement for him in the country of 1.5 billion people. Hardik Pandya my goat. pic.twitter.com/vTBSeAWJP9
– Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) 9 December 2025
🚨Match Result🚨
India won the series opener by 101 runs and took a 1‑0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
There is still a lot to play before the second T20 match on Thursday #proteas The men’s aim will be to level the series.#unbreakable pic.twitter.com/vHUHx1nA0t
– Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) 9 December 2025
– Virat Kohli in ODI series.
– Hardik Pandya in T20 series.
Two great boys of Indian cricket. pic.twitter.com/mqE1ik2ecn
– Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) 9 December 2025
Hardik Pandya in stripes… pic.twitter.com/2EaKSuxwEK
– Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) 9 December 2025
– On a pitch where almost every batsman was struggling.
Opponents could not even cross the 100 mark.
– No batsman with 15+ runs had a strike rate more than 150.
– Hardik Pandya came down the order and played 200+ innings.
– Single-handedly dragged India to a level score.
– No other batsman even reached… pic.twitter.com/YhROX1fqni– Mahi Patel (@Mahi_Patel_07) 9 December 2025
