HIGHLIGHTS India vs South Africa, South Africa in India 5 T20I Series 2025, 1st T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back for the run chase! The umpires are back out in the middle as Suryakumar Yadav can be seen leading his team in the huddle before the Indian players stride onto the field. It will be the duo of Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock to open the innings for South Africa. Arshdeep Singh will start proceedings with the new ball and there are a couple of slips in place to the left-hander. Let's go...

... The Run Chase ...

Right then, 176 is what South Africa need to make it 3-0 against India in T20Is at this venue. The dew will also play a major role but there is enough purchase for the frontline pacers to do damage in the early overs. India are still a few runs short but with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh in the side, the Protea batters would want to see them off rather than go hard in the Powerplay. It should be a cracking chase, so stay tuned.

Hardik Pandya was the wrecker-in-chief in the death overs and spoiled all the good work done by the likes of Ngidi and Jansen as he took Lutho Sipamla and especially Anrich Nortje apart. Sipamla had bowled well until that final over but Nortje's extra pace ended up being a boon for the batters at the death. Pandya's unbeaten knock of 59 off just 28 balls could be the difference between the two sides. For South Africa, Ngidi bowled brilliantly and picked up 3 wickets, whereas Jansen was highly economical.

Tilak Varma and Axar Patel tried to pull things back in the middle overs but the pitch continued to offer some extra bounce and help to the seamers, especially with the use of slower deliveries. Both Varma and Axar got out when they looked set, but a couple of big overs did help India's run rate. Keshav Maharaj, who is generally very effective, didn't manage to get any purchase with his spin bowling.

After opting to bowl first, the Proteas pacers started off brilliantly and Lungi Ngidi picked up the early wicket of Shubman Gill. Lungi Ngidi kept up his good work and picked up another wicket, and soon enough, India were 3 down for 48 in 6.3 overs. Abhishek Sharma was the third man out and he was the only one who looked to have found some timing till then.

India end with a bit of a flourish thanks to Hardik Pandya's blistering return to the team and the momentum has ebbed away into the hosts' corner heading into the break. South Africa won't be too displeased with the final score but they will feel that with those early wickets and how the pitch has played, they should have conceded 10-15 runs less.

Anrich Nortje to Jitesh Sharma, Well-bowled to finish things off! Sharp short ball, on top of the stumps, just nipping into the batter. Jitesh Sharma is rushed on the pull shot, and miscues it off the bottom end. The ball lobs into the off side and lands on the bounce in front of extra cover. They cross for a single. INDIA FINISH ON 175/6.

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, The stumps are attacked on a good length, Hardik Pandya shuffles to the leg side and slashes it away to deep point for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! PUNISHED! A genuine loosener from Anrich. It is a full toss, on middle. Hardik Pandya clears the front leg to give himself some room and tonks it over mid on, where even the tall, lanky, Marco Jansen cannot reach for it by leaping. Finds the fence for a boundary.

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, Nagging length, around off, punched off the back foot, but straight to mid off.

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, SIX! Oh, what a shot! FIFTY FOR HARDIK PANDYA! Off just 25 balls. His 6th T20I half century and this is also his 100th six in T20Is. Nortje lands it short and outside off. Hardik Pandya uses the depth of the crease to his benefit and cuts it powerfully with an angled bat, over deep third for a six. This has been a purely entertaining innings from Hardik with some brave shots as well. How about that for a comeback in the side?

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, Searing in at 147.3 kph, full and fairly outside off. Hardik Pandya swings with everything left in the tank to launch it over cover, but misses to lay bat on ball.

Here's Anrich Nortje to bowl the final over. He's gone for 29 runs thus far in his 3 overs.

Lutho Sipamla to Jitesh Sharma, SIX! SMOKED! On a short of a length, on middle and leg. Jitesh Sharma plays off the back foot and pulls it cleanly over deep square leg for a huge six. A massive over as 18 runs come off it.

Lutho Sipamla to Hardik Pandya, STRAIGHT UP... LANDS JUST SAFE! Off cutter by the looks of it, on a fuller length, outside off. Hardik Pandya liberates his arms and ends up slicing it high up and over the cover-point region. Dewald Brevis from the inner ring backtracks it and tries to catch it by extending his hands in front, but the ball lands just beyond his reach as he tumbles on the ground. A single taken.

Lutho Sipamla to Hardik Pandya, Surprise, surprise! Steep bumper on top of off. Hardik Pandya takes off his eyes from the ball while he tries to pull it away. Misses to connect.

Lutho Sipamla to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! BANG! Short of a good length, an off cutter, outside off. Hardik Pandya waits for it and flat bats it down the ground for a boundary. That has raced away to the ropes in the blink of an eye.

Lutho Sipamla to Hardik Pandya, SIX! Clean strike! Fuller delivery, well outside off. Hardik Pandya covers the stumps and launches it over long off for a cracking six. Hardik moves to 43 off just 20 balls. 150 UP FOR INDIA!

Lutho Sipamla to Jitesh Sharma, Slower ball, full and outside off. Jitesh carves it to deep point. Dewald Brevis in the deep, slides to his left and relays it to the converging deep third fielder. Just a single.

Who will bowl the 19th over? Anrich Nortje or Lutho Sipamla? It will be Sipamla.

Donovan Ferreira to Hardik Pandya, Neat stop by Donovan Ferreira! A bit too full, on the stumps, Hardik carves it straight back to the bowler using all his might, but Donovan casually picks it up on his follow-through, to his left.

Donovan Ferreira to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! Races away! Speared in by Donovan Ferreira, a bit seam-up on a fuller length, on the leg stump. Hardik Pandya whips off the pads, and gets some part of the bat. It races behind to the deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

Donovan Ferreira to Jitesh Sharma, Too full, on the leg stump. Jitesh sweeps it to the left of short fine leg for a single.

Donovan Ferreira to Hardik Pandya, Slightly short and on the leg stump. Hardik Pandya guides it to short fine leg for a single.

Donovan Ferreira to Jitesh Sharma, Pushed through full and on middle, Jitesh Sharma leans and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Donovan Ferreira to Jitesh Sharma, WIDE! Sprayed down leg, on a fuller length. Jitesh plays and miss to flick. Wide called.

Jitesh Sharma is in at number 8 for India.

Donovan Ferreira to Shivam Dube, OUT! BOWLED! The gamble to bring spin back on has paid off instantly for the Proteas. Donovan Ferreira comes from around the stumps and darts in a fractionally fuller delivery, keeping the line of attack onto the stumps. The ball drifts in and skids low from the surface. Shivam Dube clears his front leg and tries to pull it over mid-wicket but the ball stays low to beat the inside edge. It then makes an absolute mess of the middle stump. Shivam Dube departs on 11 (9) and India are 137/6.

Donovan Ferreira is back into the attack. A bit of a gamble at this stage of the innings.

Marco Jansen to Shivam Dube, Slower short ball, outside off. Shivam Dube extends his arms and punches it between cover and point for a single. Just 6 runs off the over. Marco Jansen finishes with figures of 4-0-23-0.

Marco Jansen to Shivam Dube, An off cutter, on off, full in length. Dube drills it back to the bowler.

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, Short and outside off. Hardik Pandya cuts it uppishly towards deep point, but the fielder in the deep, Tristan Stubbs, is quick to move to his left and collects it on the bounce. Just a single. Hardik is disappointed for not being able to split that gap.

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, Good reply from Jansen! This one takes off the pitch, on a good length, on off. Hardik Pandya plays inside the line and is beaten by the extra bounce.

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! That is played nonchalantly! Short from Marco, on off, Hardik Pandya stands tall and covers the stumps and pulls it through mid-wicket and finds the fence.

Marco Jansen to Hardik Pandya, At 121.5 kph, this is bashed on a hard length, outside off. Hardik Pandya tries to force the issue by smacking it over cover, but misses out on the connection.

Marco Jansen (3-0-17-0) is back on to finish his spell.

Lungi Ngidi to Shivam Dube, FOUR! Helped on its way! Short from Ngidi, on the leg stump, with pace on. Shivam Dube uses the pace and pulls it to the right of deep fine leg. This time, the ball stays out of reach of Marco Jansen in the deep and bounces into the fence for a boundary. 10 runs off the over, 27 from the last 12 balls for India. Lungi Ngidi is done with his spell with figures of 4-0-31-3.

Lungi Ngidi to Shivam Dube, Pace off, on a good length, on off. Shivam Dube is taken aback by the extra bounce, but does well enough to pat it to the cover region.

Lungi Ngidi to Shivam Dube, FOUR! Sheer muscle power! Back of a length, angling outside off. Shivam Dube stands tall and punches it between mid off and extra cover for a cracking boundary. The mid off fielder stands no chance to chase that. First boundary for Dube.

Lungi Ngidi to Hardik Pandya, Slower one, full and outside off, Pandya dabs it with soft hands to the left of backward point for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Shivam Dube, Around off, short in length. Shivam Dube backs away and slaps it to deep point for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Shivam Dube, BEATEN! Across off, on a good length. Shivam Dube has to reach for it to slash it square on the off side but misses.

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! Fighting fire with fire, what a shot! Nortje bowls it quick again but goes full and straight. However, Hardik Pandya backs away to the leg side and comes down the pitch, drilling it back past the bowler as the ball rockets into the long off fence. 17 of the over.

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, Excellent fielding in the deep! Hard length around off at 147.9 kph, Hardik Pandya is again late on the cut and the ball flies off the outside edge to the left of deep third. Lutho Sipamla does well to speed across the turf and gets a hand on it, saving two runs.

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, FIVE WIDES! Too hot to handle for anyone. A quick bumper over off, at 144 clicks and this oe flies over the batter's head and even Quinton de Kock has no chance of getting a hand on it.

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, Hits the deck hard at nearly 150 kph and keeps it around off. Pandya jams it into the off side.

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, FOUR! Enough room on offer and Hardik Pandya doesn't miss out. Good-length delivery, quick but wide outside off. Pandya is late on the cut, but the ball gets slashed away wide of the deep third fielder for a boundary.

Anrich Nortje to Shivam Dube, On a hard length again, angled well into the left-hander. Shivam Dube is beaten for pace and gets a faint inside edge onto the thigh pad. The ball travels through short third and they get a single.

Anrich Nortje to Hardik Pandya, Banged in on a hard length and over off, Pandya stays back and pats it down to mid on for a quick single.

Shivam Dube is in at number 7. Also, Anrich Nortje (2-0-12-0) returns into the attack, replacing Keshav Maharaj.

Lutho Sipamla to Axar Patel, OUT! CAUGHT! Lutho Sipamla reigns victorious in his battle against Axar Patel and once again, a wicket falls right after a boundary. Sipamla bowls it back of a length and angles across off, Patel gets up on his toes and looks to cut it over point. However, the extra bounce means Axar fails to control the shot and ends up hitting it straight to Donovan Ferreira at point, and he takes a simple catch. India are 5 down now for 104.

Lutho Sipamla to Axar Patel, SIX! Oh, that is a fine shot! Slower delivery, a bit full and straight, Axar Patel backs away to the leg side, waits for it and plays a controlled lofted shot back over the bowler's head for a biggie. 100 UP FOR INDIA!

Lutho Sipamla to Axar Patel, Good change-up again from Sipamla. Goes seam-up and hammers the hard length, angling it across off. Axar Patel swings wildly across the line but is beaten for extra pace and bounce this time.

Lutho Sipamla to Axar Patel, Nicely bowled! A short ball, angled across off but at just 116.7 kph, Axar Patel stands tall to pull but is undone by the lack of pace.

Lutho Sipamla to Hardik Pandya, Slower one, slightly full and on off, Pandya waits well and taps it towards gully for another single.

Lutho Sipamla to Axar Patel, Hits the hard length and bowls it at the batter, Axar hops up and tucks it behind square leg for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, Tossed up on off and middle, driven down to long off for a single by Patel. 16 off the over, a big one for India.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, Wide! Floated up a bit but pushed well wide of the off stump. Axar leaves it alone.

Keshav Maharaj to Hardik Pandya, Quicker one, fired in at the pads, Pandya flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Hardik Pandya, SIX! Another one! Tossed up, on off, giving it a bit more air. Hardik Pandya keeps the front leg out of the way again and swings freely, dispatching it high and over long on for another six.

Keshav Maharaj to Hardik Pandya, Flatter this time and around off, this is punched away towards covers.

Keshav Maharaj to Hardik Pandya, SIX! Up, up and away! Flighted delivery drifting into leg stump, Hardik Pandya clears the front leg and whacks it well over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, Drops it a bit short and around leg, Patel helps the pull down to long leg and turns the strike over.

Keshav Maharaj returns into the attack. 1-0-9-0 are his bowling figures. He replaces Donovan Ferreira.

Lungi Ngidi to Axar Patel, End of another fruitful over from Lungi Ngidi. Fuller and on leg stump, Axar Patel leans on and clips it well in front of mid-wicket for one more.

Lungi Ngidi to Hardik Pandya, On a good length and around off, Hardik Pandya goes from up to down and hits it through covers for a single.

Hardik Pandya is in at number 6 with India in a spot of bother.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, that could have gone all wrong but Marco Jansen has done well in the end. Lungi Ngidi bowls a slower bumper over leg stump and tries to cramp up the batter. Tilak Varma leans back and gets inside the line to pull, but fails to control it and the ball travels flat towards fine leg. Marco Jansen nearly loses it in the lights and just about pouches it to his right and also manages to keep his feet inside the ropes. The umpires have sent it upstairs to check for a fair catch. The replays roll in, and it is quickly confirmed that Jansen took a fair catch and Varma has to walk back. A timely wicket for South Africa. Number 3 for Lungi Ngidi. Tilak Varma departs on 26 (32) and India are 78/4.

Lungi Ngidi to Axar Patel, Takes pace off and bowl it around the top of middle and off, Axar waits before just angling it towards short third for an easy single.

Lungi Ngidi to Axar Patel, Good-length delivery, cutting across the left-hander, Axar stays put and looks to punch it away but mistimes it into the off side.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, Short of a length, banged into the deck and angled across off, Varma swivels on the back foot and forces the pull through mid-wicket for a run.

Lungi Ngidi is brought back into the attack. 2-0-17-2 are his figures so far. He replaces Anrich Nortje.

Donovan Ferreira to Axar Patel, Quick and flat, on a length and into the batter, Axar Patel swings across the line but is beaten and wears it high on the pads.

Donovan Ferreira to Tilak Varma, Fuller and flatter, angled into the batter, this is swept away to deep square leg for just another single.

Donovan Ferreira to Tilak Varma, A touch fuller and more round-arm, angled just down leg, Tilak Varma looks to get inside the line and sweep it over backward square leg but misses out.

Donovan Ferreira to Axar Patel, Slightly shorter and into the hips, flicked away down to deep square leg for a single.

Donovan Ferreira to Axar Patel, Wide! Flatter one, darted down the leg side for an extra.

Donovan Ferreira to Tilak Varma, Dragged length angled into the batter, Tilak Varma works it away in between mid on and mid-wicket and calls for two but the bowler is quick to chase the ball down. Just a single.

Donovan Ferreira to Axar Patel, Sees the batter backing away and angles it into the batter, Patel works it away past square leg and turns the strike over.

Drinks Break! A very positive first 10 overs with the ball for South Africa and they will now look to build on it. However, Tilak Varma and Axar Patel have done a decent job of bringing India back and with a few power hitters still to come, this stand becomes all the more vital for both sides. Maybe it isn't a pitch you get 200 on, but with the dew settling in later on, the hosts might look to target the 170-run mark from here. Let's see how the first innings pans out. A bowling change after the hydration break. Here's Donovan Ferreira into the attack. He replaces Keshav Maharaj.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Spears in at 147.4 kph, full and on middle, Axar Patel plays from the crease and tucks it into the leg side, in front of square, and they cross over for a single. Halfway through in the first inning and India are 71/3.

Anrich Nortje to Tilak Varma, Bangs it short and on middle and leg. Tilak Varma stays leg side and knocks it in thereabouts of cover-point for a quick single.

Anrich Nortje to Tilak Varma, Slightly fuller than the previous delivery, on off. Tilak Varma hops on the crease and dabs it to the left of the bowler.

The ball has landed on the roof and is out of the ground. The fourth umpire comes out with a box of balls and the umpires pick one that resembles the old ball best.

Anrich Nortje to Tilak Varma, SIX! He has nailed that shot right out of the screws! Short from Nortje, angling into the batter. Tilak Varma picks the length in a trice and pulls it massively over deep square leg. It has gone on all the way on the roof and, in fact, gone out of the stadium as well. That was struck right from the meat of the bat.

Anrich Nortje to Tilak Varma, BEATEN! Hard length, just outside off, kicking up a bit. Tilak Varma gets a bit squared up and hangs his bat away on the back foot. Gets beaten on the outside edge by a whisker.

Anrich Nortje to Tilak Varma, That was a bit too adventurous from Tilak! Just a tick under 150 clicks, Nortje shoots in a full delivery, just outside off. Tilak Varma gets down on a knee to slog it over square leg, but misses due to the excessive pace.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, Much fuller and on the stumps, Axar Patel lunges forward and gently pushes it back to the bowler.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, WIDE! Short but down leg. Axar leaves. Wide given.

Keshav Maharaj to Tilak Varma, Full and flat, on middle, dabbed across to square leg for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, Nicely tossed up, on off, Axar Patel slices this full ball through cover-point for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Tilak Varma, Short on middle, pulled off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, Top notch commitment in the field from Ngidi! Short and flat, outside off. Axar Patel rocks back and tries to punch it to the off side, but gets a thick outside edge. The ball is on its way to the ropes at deep third, but Lungi Ngidi from the inner ring sprints after it. He does stop the ball, but realises that his bodyweight is taking him beyond the ropes. So, he shows a good presence of mind by flicking the ball in, just before he runs over the ropes. The replay shows that he has done a clean job to save a run for his side.

Keshav Maharaj to Axar Patel, Starts from around the stumps, on the length, on leg, Axar Patel gets across on the back foot and nudges it to the right of short fine leg. The fielder there, moves to his right but fails to pick it up cleanly and allows the batters to cross for the second.

First signs of spin being used as Keshav Maharaj comes on to bowl.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Cannons in a fuller delivery, on middle, Axar Patel looks to drive on the leg side, but gets an inside edge and the ball rolls behind square on the leg side. They cross. Phew, that was some breathless over from Anrich Nortje upon his return. Just 4 runs off it.

Anrich Nortje to Tilak Varma, Sharp bumper from Nortje, on top of middle, nipping in a touch. Tilak Varma is hurried on the back foot and just manages to dab it off the inside edge to the leg side for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Tilak Varma, Pulls the length back, angling on the off pole. Tilak Varma is rushed on the back foot and blocks it watchfully to the off side.

Anrich Nortje to Axar Patel, Fuller and outside off, Axar Patel gets on the front foot and drives it to the right of mid off and pinches a single.

Anrich Nortje to Tilak Varma, Back of a length, outside off. Tilak Varma hangs back and guides it to deep third for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Tilak Varma, Fires in a full ball, on off, Tilak Varma plays from the crease and forces the drive to extra cover.

Anrich Nortje is now into the attack. A long-awaited T20I return for the pacer.

Lutho Sipamla to Tilak Varma, Short of a good length, on middle and leg. Tilak Varma waits back and pulls it to deep square leg for an easy single. A very successful over for the Proteas. 10 runs off the over, but the wicket of Abhishek as well. 50 UP FOR INDIA!

Lutho Sipamla to Tilak Varma, Nagging length, around off, Tilak Varma stabs it off the back foot to backward point.

Lutho Sipamla to Axar Patel, On a length, on middle and leg, Axar Patel steers it through backward square leg for a single.

Axar Patel is sent in at number, replacing Abhishek Sharma.

Lutho Sipamla to Abhishek Sharma, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! That is a screamer of a catch from Marco Jansen. Lutho just rolls his fingers a bit on the leather and hurls out a length ball, on the leg stump line. It lands and just kicks up a bit. Abhishek Sharma gets on the back foot and tries to flick it but the ball gets big on him. It lobs behind to the left of deep fine leg where Marco Jansen dives to his left and takes a blinder. Abhishek Sharma looks at the heavens as he departs on 17 (12) and India are 48/3.

Lutho Sipamla to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Lovely shot! Short of a length, angled onto the bodyline. Abhishek Sharma reads the pace well, sits back and chips it wide of mid-wicket for a boundary.

Lutho Sipamla to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Glorious! Fuller and on the fourth stump line. Abhishek Sharma leans onto the shot and drives it between the mid off and extra cover gap for a cracking boundary.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Plays it fine enough! Hard length from Jansen, onto the pads and a bit straight. Tilak Varma gets across and uses the pace to guide the ball toward the deep fine leg fence for a boundary. 8 runs off the final over of the restrictions. India end their Powerplay with 40/2 on the board.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, Slower one, touch fuller and around off. Tilak Varma pushes at the delivery on the front foot, and ends up chipping it on the bounce to extra cover.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, Short of a good length, around off, steered off the back foot to backward point.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Finds the gap perfectly! Full and on the pads, Tilak Varma gets on top of it and flicks it past mid-wicket. Lungi Ngidi from mid on is after it, but the ball teases him all the way to the ropes. This brings up 1000 T20I runs for Tilak Varma.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, A bit loose from Varma! Back of a length, skidding through, outside off. Tilak Varma hangs his bat away from his body with no footwork, and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, Too straight, angling down leg, on a length. Tilak Varma gets inside the line to nudge it around the corner on the leg side, but misses. The ball zips past through to the keeper. Not given as a wide as it passes inside the new guideline.

Change? Nope. Marco Jansen to continue. Third over on the trot.

Lutho Sipamla to Tilak Varma, Just a single to end and it is a tidy start from Lutho Sipamla as well. Full and around off, eased away just to the right of Aiden Markram at mid off for a quick single.

Lutho Sipamla to Tilak Varma, O a hard length and over off, holds its line this time and Varma punches it down to mid off.

Lutho Sipamla to Tilak Varma, Keeps the length relatively full and bowls it around off, Varma watchfully defends.

Lutho Sipamla to Tilak Varma, Oh, that's beaten Tilak Varma all ends up. Fuller in length, swings away quite a bit from middle and leg. Varma looks to drive on the up, but the ball beats the outside edge by a mile.

Lutho Sipamla to Abhishek Sharma, On a good length and on off, hit away down through cover-point for a single.

Lutho Sipamla to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR BYES! Prodigious movement and that too late movement. Seam-up delivery, on a length and angling in from the leg stump. Abhishek Sharma comes down the pitch to swing across the line but is beaten and even Quinton de Kock only manages to get a glove on it as the ball rolls away into the fine leg fence.

Lutho Sipamla is brought into the attack, replacing Lungi Ngidi.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, Good length around off, nips back in a touch, Sharma hangs back and manages to jam it down behind point for a single.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, Banged in on a hard length and over middle, Sharma comes down the pitch, staying leg side of the ball and looks to hammer it through the off side but is beaten by the extra bounce.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! Hit on the body the previous ball but Sharma doesn't care! Banged in short and over off, Abhishek Sharma lines it up early and pulls it off the back foot handsomely over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Marco Jansen to Abhishek Sharma, Oh, that is a stinging blow to get! Marco Jansen drags the length back and serves it on middle, this one pitches and jags back in a long way. Abhishek Sharma is taken aback and gets hit on the hip bone and he lets out a big grunt. Thankfully, he is fine.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, On a good length and over middle, Varma gets across and just nudges it in front of square leg for a quick run.

Marco Jansen to Tilak Varma, That in-between length, lands it around off and angles it in a bit, Tilak Varma gets forward and blocks it back to the bowler.

It seems like a two-paced wicket. Might see spin from one end pretty soon. But for now, Marco Jansen (1-0-1-0) to continue.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, Oh, nearly another one for Ngidi! Nagging length, not all that full, and just around off. Varma looks to play it late but gets an inside edge that just goes past the leg stump, and the batters manage to pick up a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Tilak Varma, Pitches the ball on a fuller length and on off, Tilak Varma covers the line and solidly blocks it off.

Two left-handers at the crease as Tilak Varma walks in at number 4.

Lungi Ngidi to Suryakumar Yadav, OUT! CAUGHT! Lungi Ngidi gets the last laugh and India are already 2 down. Good correction once again from Ngidi as he goes a touch fuller and on off stump. Suryakumar Yadav looks to pick this one over the leg side as well, but the ball doesn't quite come on, and he ends up slicing it up over the bowler's head. Aiden Markram at mid on takes a couple of steps to his left and reverse-cups it with ease. SKY goes for 12 (11) and India are 17/2.

Lungi Ngidi to Suryakumar Yadav, SIX! What a shot, bread and butter for SKY! Length ball on the pads, Suryakumar Yadav takes a step to the off side, getting inside the line and nonchalantly picks it up over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. You do not bowl there to SKY.

Lungi Ngidi to Suryakumar Yadav, FOUR! Nicely done! Fractionally short and angled in at the hips, Suryakumar Yadav flicks it away over the square leg region and the ball rolls away into the fence, much to the disappointment of the chasing fielder.

Lungi Ngidi to Suryakumar Yadav, Angles into the batter, on a fullish bit of a length. Suryakumar Yadav whips off the front foot, but finds the fielder at mid on. SKY is on 2 off 8 balls, evidently struggling a bit to time the ball.

Marco Jansen to Suryakumar Yadav, Very full and straight, driven back past the bowler and to the left of mid on for a quick single. Just a single off the over.

Marco Jansen to Suryakumar Yadav, Hard length on off, a hint of shape on this one and Yadav watchfully keeps it out.

Marco Jansen to Suryakumar Yadav, Oh, nearly catches the outside edge! A tad fuller and swinging away from the off stump line, Suryakumar Yadav looks to whip it across the line but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Marco Jansen to Suryakumar Yadav, No run there! Hard length, angled across off, SKY taps it to the left of point and sets off for the single but is sent back. Dewald Brevis does well to attack the ball and create that bit of hesitation between the batters.

Marco Jansen to Suryakumar Yadav, Good-length delivery on middle, this one comes straight on and Yadav blocks it off.

Marco Jansen to Suryakumar Yadav, Starts with a full ball outside off, looking for some swing which isn't quite there. Suryakumar Yadav leans across and punches it sweetly towards short cover.

Already, there are signs of the ball holding on the surface. Ravi Shastri on air mentioned that it is a bit damp in nature as well. And Gill's wicket showed that the ball might arrive a bit late on the bat than expected. So, timing the ball is going to be a bit challenging as well. Marco Jansen will share the attack from the other end.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, Excellent start from Ngidi, 6 runs and a wicket off it. Hits the back of length and bowls it over middle and leg, Abhishek Sharma looks to pull but misses and gets hit around the ribs.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, Swing and a miss! Good length, in the channel outside off, Abhishek steps out and backs away to go over the off side, but only connects with thin air.

Lungi Ngidi to Suryakumar Yadav, Hard length at the stumps, whipped away through the on side for a single. Again, the pace off the deck is a bit slower on this surface and the ball isn't coming onto the bat as expected right now.

The Indian captain, Suryakumar Yadav, walks in at number 3.

Lungi Ngidi to Shubman Gill, OUT! CAUGHT! Excellent adjustment from Lungi Ngidi and South Africa have an early wicket here. Ngid goes a bit fuller and much straighter at the stumps. Shubman Gill gives him the charge but the ball stops on him and Gill ends up mistiming the lofted shot over the right of mid off. Marco Jansen over there runs back a bit and takes a fairly comfortable catch and Gill has to depart for just 4 (2).

Lungi Ngidi to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Slashed away! On a good length but very wide outside off, Shubman Gill reaches out to hit it square but the ball flies off the outside half of the blade and to the left of deep backward point for a boundary.

Lungi Ngidi to Abhishek Sharma, Abhishek Sharma and India are off the mark! Ngidi hits the deck hard and bowls it a touch short over off, Sharma gets taken aback by the extra bounce and ends up awkwardly fending it over backward point for a single.

Righto, done with all the pre-match rituals, and it is now time to get going in this highly anticipated T20I series. On the banks of the Mahanadi River, the Barabati Stadium is buzzing, and the atmosphere is electric. It is a working day, mind you, but the stands are jam-packed. The Honourable Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, rings the bell to mark the commencement of the game. The two umpires walk out to the middle, and the players of South Africa spread across the field and take their spots on the field. And now, the opening pair for India - Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill - walk out to the crease. Lungi Ngidi has the new ball and is raring to go. Abhishek will face the first ball. Will he step out right away? Let's find out. The countdown is done and off we go...

We are just a few minutes away from the first ball, but before that, it is time for the national anthems. Both sets of players and the match officials line up. It will be South Africa's first, followed by the Indian national anthem.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, and Lungi Ngidi.

India (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakaravarthy.

The Indian skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, says that they were a bit confused looking at the wicket and they are happy to bat first, and are looking forward to putting runs on the board. Adds that the T20 format is a bit challenging for the bowlers but it has now been around for a long time and they need to adjust to it. Reckons that they had a good series against Australia and now they are playing against South Africa and New Zealand next, which is great. Informs that Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana are the ones who miss out in this game.

The captain of South Africa, Aiden Markram, says that there is quite a bit of dew around at this time of the year in India, but expects it to play out well. Reckons that it might get a little bit worse later on, so thinks bowling first is a better choice. Stresses that the adjustment needs to be quick to make the transition from the formats. Says that you need to be in the right frame of mind to compete. Also adds that it has been a great buildup for the upcoming World Cup, and from a conditions point of view, he says, it is as good as it can get. Talks about testing yourself against one of the best outfits in the world is always great. Adds that they have a couple of months left to fine-tune things.  About the team combination, he says they have got four seamers and Keshav Maharaj as the lone spinner, including himself and Donovan Ferreira as the part-timers.

TOSS - Up goes the flip of the coin and Aiden Markram calls it correctly. South Africa will BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Deep Dasgupta and Pommie Mbangwa are inspecting the deck. Deep starts by mentioning that the dimensions are 62 meters and 65 meters on the squares, while it is 76 meters straight down the ground. He reckons that the batters will target the shorter side of the boundary more. Pommie joins him and highlights that the last time he was here in the whites, it was a black soil surface. This time, he details that it is a red soil pitch, and the reason one cannot see is that it has a nice covering of grass. He observes some cracks beneath the grass as well. Pommie says that he is a bit unsure of what personality the pitch wants to show, pondering some mystery. He moves across the pitch and notices that it is slightly cold and dusty to the touch, calling it a strip of dual nature. Reckons that the batters are going to make some merry on this surface. It is hard enough to bounce and dry enough to grip later on, he mentions. About the dew factor, Deep says if it does come in, the ball could skid and make life harder for the spinners. Both reckon that the first six overs with the ball in hand could be gold, but it all depends on who reads the conditions better.

With both squads featuring a blend of established match-winners and energetic newcomers looking to cement their World Cup spots, the contest is set up for a fierce battle. India holds a commanding 18-12 head-to-head advantage in T20Is, but the Barabati Stadium's history against them gives the Proteas a psychological edge. Given the venue's reputation for a consistent, batting-friendly surface and the likely influence of dew favoring the chasing team, a high-scoring encounter is on the cards. Stay tuned for the toss and team sheets.

South Africa, captained by Aiden Markram, will rely on a mix of experience and youthful aggression to challenge the in-form hosts. The batting unit is stabilized by veterans like David Miller and the returning Quinton de Kock, with exciting young talents such as Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs ready to provide middle-order thrust. On the bowling front, the pace battery, featuring Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, and the all-round threat of Marco Jansen, is designed to trouble the Indian batters with high speed and variations. They hold a unique advantage at this specific venue, having won both their previous T20I encounters against India in Cuttack, a record they will look to maintain.

For the Men in Blue, the series opener brings significant boosts with the return of key players. Vice-captain Shubman Gill is back in the mix, having recovered from a neck injury, and his presence alongside the explosive Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order adds formidable firepower. Crucially, the return of all-rounder Hardik Pandya, fit again after a quadriceps injury, instantly provides the team with much-needed balance, depth at number five, and four overs of pace bowling. India's bowling attack, spearheaded by the world-class Jasprit Bumrah and the strike-spin of Kuldeep Yadav, looks potent and settled for the home conditions.

The stage is set for a high-octane T20 International series as India and South Africa lock horns in the first of five matches at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. After a multi-format tour that saw South Africa clinch the Test series and India respond by winning the ODIs, both teams now shift focus to the shortest format, which serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026. The world's top-ranked T20I side, led by the charismatic Suryakumar Yadav, will look to maintain their remarkable unbeaten streak in bilateral T20I series since August 2023, while the Proteas will be eager to rebound from their recent T20 struggles. On that note, welcome to the coverage!

... MATCH DAY ...

An all-format series between two nations serves as a clear mirror. Where do you stand? What's working? What's falling apart? India learned this the hard way - a Test whitewash by South Africa that left scars. The ODIs? South Africa fought hard but still couldn't close the deal. So here we are, one format down, both teams licking their wounds and looking for redemption. The shortest format takes center stage at Cuttack for the opening T20I of a five-match series. Five matches. Finally, a proper T20I series where form and momentum actually matter. Now here's the thing about T20I series in 2025 - they're no longer just entertainment. With the T20 World Cup 2026 just months away, both teams treat this as essential preparation. India will play ten T20Is before the tournament - five here against South Africa, five more against New Zealand, at home. That's ten chances to lock in combinations, test strategies, and figure out who delivers under pressure. And South Africa? Eight matches in the same window. Every game matters. Every decision counts. Let's talk about India first. They arrive undefeated in T20I series throughout this calendar year. Undefeated! That's not luck - that's dominance. They dismantled Australia, lifted the Asia Cup trophy, and hammered England 4-1. It wasn't long back when they won a series in South Africa, which was a literal run fest. So they know these conditions, they know this opposition, and they know how to win. Suryakumar Yadav continues as captain, but the real storyline? Shubman Gill's return from a neck injury that sidelined him during the Test series. The young opener has been in scintillating form across formats, and him opening along side Abhishek Sharma at the top could be explosive. Abhishek doesn't just bat - he attacks from ball one. No second gear, no settling in, just pure aggression. Can he handle the South African pace attack on a fresh surface? We'll find out soon enough. Tilak has shown his ability to control the game in the middle phase. The Mumbai youngster bats like someone who's been doing this for a decade, not a couple of years. Cool head, smart cricket, and the ability to accelerate when needed. Then you have the all-rounders. Oh, the all-rounders. Hardik Pandya's comeback adds significant depth after a quadricep issue forced him out, last appearing during the Asia Cup. Add Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel to the mix, and India have batting depth that goes all the way down to number eight. The bowling? Jasprit Bumrah returns after his ODI breather, joined by Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. Bumrah fresh is a problem for any batting lineup as he is a complete package. Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav lead the spin contingent, giving India the options to strangle opposition through the middle overs. On paper, this is a frighteningly complete T20I side. And now, South Africa. They carry the sting of their ODI series loss, but they're a more dangerous beast in T20 cricket, where their batting depth becomes truly threatening. Aiden Markram reclaims captaincy after filling in during the ODIs, while Quinton de Kock's return to open puts pressure on Ryan Rickelton, though the latter should hold his spot for now. Markram, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, and Tristan Stubbs form a menacing middle order, bolstered by all-rounders Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, and Donovan Ferreira who provide both explosive batting and quality bowling. The Proteas possess the firepower to trouble any attack when they click. Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, and Donovan Ferreira provide both explosive batting and quality bowling. Four proper all-rounders. Anrich Nortje's return following the T20 World Cup 2024 finale, partnering with Lungi Ngidi, gives the bowling unit serious teeth. Nortje. Remember that name? The man who regularly hits 150 kph, who can bowl yorkers at will, and who makes batting look like a survival test. Pair him with Ngidi's variations and you've got a new-ball combination that can blow away any top order. Keshav Maharaj and Linde lead the spin attack, giving South Africa a balanced bowling unit that can operate in any conditions. Now, the venue. Cuttack. Just three T20 matches have been played here. Three! That's barely a sample size. How will the pitch play? What's a good score? Does it turn? Does it seam? All valid questions with very few answers. The venue has consistently produced batting-friendly tracks with a fractionally slower pace, so expect runs. But don't be shocked if spinners find some grip as the ball gets older. South Africa have played two of those three matches and won both times, in 2015 and 2022. Of the four T20I series played in India, South Africa have claimed one victory and drawn on two occasions. It's not like the Proteas are pushovers in Indian conditions. They've competed, they've won, and they've proven they can handle the pressure. But can they challenge this Indian team who is progressing ahead on the theme of ultra-aggressive batting? Or can India restrict the resurgent Proteas in the shortest format? An overwhelmingly competitive T20I series is on the cards. Expect entertainment aplenty at the Barabati Stadium.