Hardik Pandya powers India to 101-run rout, South Africa bowled out for lowest T20I score ever

India began their T20 World Cup 2026 preparations with a dominant 101-run victory over South Africa. Hardik Pandya starred with an all-round performance. India's bowlers were disciplined, restricting South Africa to their lowest T20I total. The win gives India a 1-0 lead in the series. The next match is in New Chandigarh.
Cuttack: India's Hardik Pandya celebrates with Jitesh Sharma (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)
India opened their T20 World Cup 2026 preparations with a resounding 101-run victory in the first T20I against South Africa at the Barabati Stadium, powered by Hardik Pandya’s strong all-round display and a disciplined bowling performance. The win puts India 1-0 ahead in the five-match series. Chasing 176, South Africa’s innings fell apart almost immediately. Arshdeep Singh struck with his second delivery, removing Quinton de Kock for a duck. He followed it up by dismissing Tristan Stubbs in the third over, halting the batter’s early aggression. Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis attempted to rebuild, but Axar Patel’s introduction inside the powerplay brought an instant breakthrough as the South African skipper was bowled for 14.
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Hardik Pandya, returning to the national side after injury, made an impact with the ball as well. His very first delivery removed David Miller, deepening South Africa’s growing problems. The collapse gathered pace, with only Marco Jansen offering a brief counterattack through a pair of sixes before Varun Chakaravarthy ended his stay. Jasprit Bumrah then reached a personal milestone, claiming his 100th T20I wicket by dismissing Brevis, and added Keshav Maharaj moments later. Axar Patel accounted for Anrich Nortje soon after, and Shivam Dube completed the rout by removing Lutho Sipamla, as South Africa folded for just 74 in 12.3 overs, their lowest total in T20I history. Earlier in the evening, India endured a shaky start. Lungi Ngidi removed Shubman Gill in the first over and returned to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav , who briefly counterpunched with a six and a four, including his trademark supla shot. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma steadied the innings to guide India to 40/2 after six overs, but Abhishek’s dismissal to Sipamla stalled the momentum again. Tilak and Axar Patel tried to build through the middle overs but struggled for rhythm. Tilak’s scratchy 26 off 32 eventually came to an end, leaving India searching for acceleration. That responsibility fell to Hardik Pandya, who played an innings of rare fluency on a pitch that gripped and slowed throughout the night. His unbeaten 59 off 28 balls, decorated with six fours and four sixes, lifted India to a competitive 175/6. Late contributions from Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharma added valuable runs. Despite South Africa’s early breakthroughs and Jansen’s tight spells, Pandya stood out with timing and power that few others managed on the surface. His knock transformed India’s innings and ultimately shaped the course of the match. With India carrying a 1-0 advantage, the teams now travel to New Chandigarh for the second T20I on Thursday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. Brief Scores: India 175/6 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 59*, Tilak Varma 26; Lungi Ngidi 3/31, Lutho Sipamla 2/38) South Africa 74 all out in 12.3 overs (Dewald Brevis 22, Tristan Stubbs 14; Axar Patel 2/7, Arshdeep Singh 2/14) India won by 101 runs.
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