1
0
0
6
W
0
= 7
Match Details
IND vs SA, 1st T20, SA vs IND 2025 live
SA
74-10(12.3)
India won by 101 runs š
IND
(20.0)175-6
+
P'ship : 0(0)
Commentary
All
Highlights
Overs
W
6s
4s
Inn 1
Inn 2
Milestone
That is the end of our live coverage of the first T20I between India and South Africa from Cuttack. A thumping 101-run win for the Men in Blue to take an early 1-0 lead in this five-match series. The second T20I of the series will be played in Mullanpur on Thursday, as we move from the Eastern part of India to the Northern part of the country for the first time this tour.
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator, Dev Rajawat, scorer, Manish Bishnoi, and statistician, Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!!!
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator, Dev Rajawat, scorer, Manish Bishnoi, and statistician, Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!!!
Hardik Pandya (POTM): "Yeah, I had to back my shots. At the same point in time, I had to realise that the wicket had a bit of spice on it. So, I had to be a little gutsy. It was more about timing the ball. I did not try, like breaking the ball. Yeah, I was very satisfied with the way I batted tonight.
The last 6-7 months have been amazing for me from a fitness standpoint. I don't make a big deal of the hardwork that goes behind the scenes. At the same time, over these 50 days, being away from your loved ones, spending time in the NCA, and making sure everything is covered, it is very satisfying to come here, and the result comes out like this.
As a cricketer, I haven't been fussy about the roles I have been given on the field. I have always been motivated all the time when I take the field and make sure that I execute whatever roles I have been given. It doesn't matter what Hardik Pandya wants. All that matters is what India wants. Whenever I get opportunities, I come out and give my best. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it won't. Throughout my career, Iāve tried to put my team first, the nation first, whichever team I have played for. Thatās my biggest USP, and thatās what has always helped me.
I kind of knew that Keshav Maharaj wouldn't go closer to Axar as he is a left-hander. I didnāt plan it that way, it was just that if it came into my arc, I wanted to go for it. He took a chance, and I took a chance as well. Mine was a calculative one on that track, and it paid off. I think that gave us rhythm, gave us momentum that we capitalised on. We were 20-25 runs ahead when that slog overs time came. We had the momentum. Itās just about gamesmanship, identifying the right bowler to take down on the day. When it comes off, it looks good."
The last 6-7 months have been amazing for me from a fitness standpoint. I don't make a big deal of the hardwork that goes behind the scenes. At the same time, over these 50 days, being away from your loved ones, spending time in the NCA, and making sure everything is covered, it is very satisfying to come here, and the result comes out like this.
As a cricketer, I haven't been fussy about the roles I have been given on the field. I have always been motivated all the time when I take the field and make sure that I execute whatever roles I have been given. It doesn't matter what Hardik Pandya wants. All that matters is what India wants. Whenever I get opportunities, I come out and give my best. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it won't. Throughout my career, Iāve tried to put my team first, the nation first, whichever team I have played for. Thatās my biggest USP, and thatās what has always helped me.
I kind of knew that Keshav Maharaj wouldn't go closer to Axar as he is a left-hander. I didnāt plan it that way, it was just that if it came into my arc, I wanted to go for it. He took a chance, and I took a chance as well. Mine was a calculative one on that track, and it paid off. I think that gave us rhythm, gave us momentum that we capitalised on. We were 20-25 runs ahead when that slog overs time came. We had the momentum. Itās just about gamesmanship, identifying the right bowler to take down on the day. When it comes off, it looks good."
Player of the Match: Hardik Pandya
Suryakumar Yadav (India Captain): "Yeah, at the toss we were a little 50-50 about what to do, but in the end, Iām really happy that we batted first.
At 48 for 3, it didnāt look ideal, but the way Hardik, Axar, and Tilak rebuilt, and then Jitesh came in and finished beautifully - that was outstanding.
We initially felt 160 would be a good total, so reaching 175 felt unbelievable. In T20s, when you have 7-8 proper batters, there will be days when two or three donāt get going, and thatās okay, because the others can step up. Thatās the brand of cricket we want - fearless, expressive, and with full belief.
About the bowling, Arshdeep and Bumrah were the perfect choices to start with the new ball, considering how the pitch behaved earlier. Hardik is coming back from injury, so using him later in the innings was part of the plan, and he executed his role really well.
Overall, recovering after the early setback, scoring 90-plus between overs 7 to 15, and then finishing strong - I think 175 was a very competitive total. With the bowling options we have, it always felt like a good score."
At 48 for 3, it didnāt look ideal, but the way Hardik, Axar, and Tilak rebuilt, and then Jitesh came in and finished beautifully - that was outstanding.
We initially felt 160 would be a good total, so reaching 175 felt unbelievable. In T20s, when you have 7-8 proper batters, there will be days when two or three donāt get going, and thatās okay, because the others can step up. Thatās the brand of cricket we want - fearless, expressive, and with full belief.
About the bowling, Arshdeep and Bumrah were the perfect choices to start with the new ball, considering how the pitch behaved earlier. Hardik is coming back from injury, so using him later in the innings was part of the plan, and he executed his role really well.
Overall, recovering after the early setback, scoring 90-plus between overs 7 to 15, and then finishing strong - I think 175 was a very competitive total. With the bowling options we have, it always felt like a good score."
Aiden Markram (South Africa Captain): "Yeah! There were some good signs with the ball and on the field.
Nice to start with the way we did. That is the box we tick. We are proud of that one. Not so with the bat. We went downhill with the bat. Pity that it happened in the first game. We need to draw a line on this outing and come back quickly in the next game.
Felt that it (the pitch) was quite sticky. Tennis ball bounce. 175 is a total that we would have taken it and backed ourselves to chase it down. You can always nitpick and say we could have had them 10-15 runs short. Maybe 10-15 runs less, we could have restricted them, but 175, we would have taken.
We didn't have many partnerships with the bat. We will have a brief conversation about it, maybe tomorrow, but won't dive too deep into it.
Appreciated it. Thanks!"
Nice to start with the way we did. That is the box we tick. We are proud of that one. Not so with the bat. We went downhill with the bat. Pity that it happened in the first game. We need to draw a line on this outing and come back quickly in the next game.
Felt that it (the pitch) was quite sticky. Tennis ball bounce. 175 is a total that we would have taken it and backed ourselves to chase it down. You can always nitpick and say we could have had them 10-15 runs short. Maybe 10-15 runs less, we could have restricted them, but 175, we would have taken.
We didn't have many partnerships with the bat. We will have a brief conversation about it, maybe tomorrow, but won't dive too deep into it.
Appreciated it. Thanks!"
Smart-saver of the Match: Jitesh Sharma
Striker of the Match: Hardik Pandya
All-round performance in the field: Axar Patel
Distance award for striking the longest six: Tilak Varma (89m)
10:27 PM IST, Local Time: Murali Kartik is all set with the post-match presentation...
Commentary