India kicked off the T20I series against South Africa in commanding fashion, securing 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 sensational 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 in to bat, India faced early pressure as Shubman Gill (4 off 2) departed quickly despite a crisp boundary. Abhishek Sharma tried to inject momentum with a lively 17 off 12, but South Africa kept chipping away, thanks largely to Lungi Ngidi‘s incisive spell that removed both openers.

With wickets falling regularly, India needed stability. Tilak Varma (26 off 32) and Axar Patel (23 off 21) offered some resistance, but the innings truly ignited when Hardik Pandya walked in and unleashed a counter-attacking masterclass. The Indian star smashed 59 off just 28 deliveries, peppering the boundary with six fours and four towering sixes. His assault shifted the momentum decisively, lifting India from a modest total to a competitive one.

Late cameos from Shivam Dube (11 off 9) and Jitesh Sharma (10 off 5) ensured India finished strongly. Among the South African bowlers, Ngidi stood out with impressive figures of 3/31, while Lutho Sipamla picked up two wickets but proved expensive.

India’s bowlers rip through South Africa’s batting

Chasing 176, South Africa needed a solid start but instead walked straight into India’s disciplined pace attack. Arshdeep Singh struck in the opening over to remove Quinton de Kock for a duck, while Jasprit Bumrah‘s sharp lines kept the pressure mounting.

Skipper Aiden Markram (14) and Tristan Stubbs (14) attempted to stabilise the innings, but both fell just as they looked set. Dewald Brevis provided the only notable resistance with a brisk 22 off 14, showing glimpses of his explosive ability, but India’s spin duo soon tightened the noose.

Varun Chakaravarthy (2/19) and Axar Patel (2/7) created havoc through the middle overs, exploiting the surface perfectly. Pandya chipped in with a wicket, and Shivam Dube capped off the innings with a scalp in his very first over. South Africa’s lower order collapsed without a fight, with only Marco Jansen (12 off 12) showing brief aggression. India’s collective bowling brilliance meant South Africa folded for a mere 74, marking one of their most underwhelming T20I performances in recent years.

Also READ: IND vs SA: Fans fume as India drop Sanju Samson in the first T20I against South Africa

Here’s how fans reacted:

An emphatic win in the #INDvSA T20I series opener 🥳#TeamIndia register a 1⃣0⃣1⃣-run victory in Cuttack to go 1⃣-0⃣ up 🙌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/tiemfwcNPh@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/mw3oxC5AHw

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 9, 2025

New threads 🧵, same Magician 🪄 pic.twitter.com/VuhI6fzVSx

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) December 9, 2025

The Pandya knock was one of the better T20 innings in a long time. Just seemed like he was batting on a different pitch. The innings had everything. pic.twitter.com/8zuPEUeED3

— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) December 9, 2025

India DESTROY South Africa! 🔥🇮🇳

SA bowled out for just 74, their lowest ever, as India clinch the 1st T20I by 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 is India’s MVP, an asli impact player. With him in team India play with 12 players – good pacer, great finisher. How much india missed him.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 9, 2025

Good night from Cuttack! 👊#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/bLHs2tOzKW

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 9, 2025

Solid win from team India. Looked liked a below par score but defended like champion by Indian bowlers. Hardik’s comeback was solid. Arshdeep singh is so crucial for this team,he showed with early wickets.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 9, 2025

Started with a 𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙂 💥 pic.twitter.com/aSUfciqg5q

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) December 9, 2025

Bro so GOATed that there is not even a single replacement of him in country of 1.5 billion people. Hardik Pandya My GOAT. 😭🐐 pic.twitter.com/vTBSeAWJP9

— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) December 9, 2025

🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨

India takes the series opener by 101 runs, going 1‑0 up in the five‑match T20I series. 🏏

Still plenty to play for heading to the second T20I on Thursday as #TheProteas Men will aim to level the series. 🇿🇦#Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/vHUHx1nA0t

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 9, 2025

– Virat Kohli in ODI series.

– Hardik Pandya in T20I series.

TWO SWAGGER BOYS OF INDIAN CRICKET. 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/mqE1ik2ecn

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) December 9, 2025

Hardik Pandya in stripes… 𝐇𝚰𝐓𝐒 𝐃𝚰𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2EaKSuxwEK

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 9, 2025

– On a pitch where almost every batter struggled.
– Opponents couldn’t even cross 100.
– No batter with 15+ runs had a strike rate over 150.
– Hardik Pandya came in down the order and smashed at 200+.
– Dragged India to a par score all by himself.
– No other batter even reached… pic.twitter.com/YhROX1fqni

— Mahi Patel (@Mahi_Patel_07) December 9, 2025

Also READ: India’s opening conundrum intensifies as Suryakumar Yadav clarifies roles of Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill ahead of South Africa T20Is

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