By Sampurna Majumder
India was competent enough to quickly turn a match around after South Africa’s excellent start in Cuttack was swiftly gone as they were bowled out for just 74, which was their lowest ever in the T20Is. South Africa’s previous lowest total was against India, which was 87 in Rajkot in June 2022. India’s bowling team blew out the Proteas line up to secure a dominant 101-run victory in the series opener after Hardik Pandya consolidated the batting with a blazing, unbeaten 59 off 28 balls.
Under strange circumstances, Jasprit Bumrah took his 100th wicket. Although it seemed from the replay that Bumrah went too far, the third Umpire decided that the delivery was legal. Dewald Brevis, who was essentially South Africa’s final batter, fell out after the wicket. South Africa was left with just two wickets as Bumrah took another in the same over. The last wicket was taken by Axar Patel in the final over.
Now that Hardik Pandya is back after a 74-day injury layoff, India realistically had a shot at setting a target of 180 thanks to him alone. Pandya’s performance didn’t feel like he missed a game in the middle. While most of his teammates struggled to time the ball, Pandya scored 50 in 25 balls. He successfully stabilised the innings with his fellow all-rounder teammate Shivam Dube, but Donovan Ferreira took his wicket after a strong slog. Besides this, Shubman Gill’s comeback was short-lived as Lungi Ngidi dismissed him on the third delivery of his innings.