South Africa‘s batting was reduced to 74 runs India The lowest-ever T20I score was recorded in the first T20I of their 2025 tour at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday, giving India a stunning 101-run win after the hosts posted 175/6. This humiliating defeat in the five-match series underlines the ongoing weaknesses of the Proteas’ white-ball batting against spin and pace on turning tracks, with India’s bowlers ruthlessly exploiting the conditions. As the series focuses on leveling the scoreline, this low score joins the infamous list of South African T20I flops resulting in defeat.
Top 5 lowest scores made by South Africa in T20Is
- 74 runs vs India, Cuttack (December 9, 2025):
Chasing a target of 176 runs in the opening T20I match, South Africa were bowled out at 5.92 runs per over in 12.3 overs in the second innings. India’s disciplined attack, led by spinners and fast bowlers, tore apart the top order, leaving them with seven overs unused, making for a demoralizing start to the tour on a pitch with variable bounce.
- 87 runs vs India, Rajkot (June 17, 2022):
Chasing 170, the visitors were all out for 87 in 16.5 overs (RR 5.16) at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in the fourth T20I of the South Africa 2022 tour of India. Yuzvendra Chahal and likes fast bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar The lineup quickly collapsed as key wickets fell amid poor shot selection, resulting in an 82-run defeat and highlighting the struggle to adapt on subcontinent soil.
- 89 runs vs Australia, Johannesburg (February 21, 2020):
Hosting Australia at The Wanderers in T20I #1046, South Africa, chasing 197, could manage just 89 runs in 14.3 overs (RR 6.13). ashton agarA career-best 4/20 laid a trap for the home batsmen, who lost wickets in clusters on a lively pitch, leading to a 107-run defeat that exposed the weaknesses of the middle order under lights.
See also: Akshar Patel clean bowled Aiden Markram beautifully in the first T20 match.
- 95 runs vs India, Johannesburg (December 14, 2023):
During the 2023-24 tour of India, South Africa were bowled out for 95 in 13.5 overs (RR 6.86) while chasing 202 at The Wanderers. -Kuldeep YadavA stellar performance of 5/17 devastated the batting line-up on a slow surface, with early successes leading to a 106-run loss for the Proteas despite a competitive total posted by India.
- All out for 96 runs vs Australia, Cape Town (February 26, 2020):
In the third T20I at Newlands, South Africa chased 194 but were bowled out for 96 in 15.3 overs (RR 6.19). Mitchell StarcAustralia’s furious spells and Australia’s fast pace took advantage of seam movement, leading to a 97-run defeat as the hosts’ chase failed to materialize after a promising powerplay.
These batting collapses reveal a pattern of collapse against quality spin and bounce, prompting South Africa to urgently introspect ahead of the remaining T20Is against India. With three defeats out of five against the same opponent, subcontinent conditions remain kryptonite for the Proteas’ T20 ambitions.