IND vs SA 2025: India vs South Africa Highlights & Result – 1st T20I

Published - 09 Dec 2025, 22:14 IST | Updated - 09 Dec 2025, 22:42 IST

India defeated South Africa by 101 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, on Tuesday, December 9. South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to field first. India posted 175/6 in their innings, with Hardik Pandya leading the charge. Pandya remained unbeaten on 59 from 28 balls, outplaying the South African bowling attack, while the other batters failed to make significant contributions.

For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/31, while Lutho Sipamla took 2/38. In response, the Proteas were bowled out for just 74 runs, with Dewald Brevis top-scoring with 22. The rest of the batting lineup collapsed under pressure. India’s bowling attack dominated, with Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel each picking up two wickets to secure a comprehensive victory.

Hardik Pandya was the top scorer of the match, showcasing his experience to guide the Men in Blue’s innings. He remained unbeaten on 59 from 28 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 210.71, completely outplaying the Proteas bowlers. With other batters struggling, Pandya anchored the innings and struck the right shots to take India to a formidable total in the first T20I.

Hard-hit Pandya is back in business! 🙌💪Two mammoth maximums in the same over and the crowd in Cuttack begins to chant his name. 🤩#INDvSA, 1st T20I, LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/tqu4j7Svcm

#HardikPandya doesn't just make comebacks, he announces them with thunder! A 59* off just 28 balls… pure, unfiltered carnage. 🙌🗿💎#INDvSA, 1st T20I, LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/tqu4j7Svcm

Jasprit Bumrah bowled the standout spell of the match, claiming two crucial wickets in Cuttack. He finished with figures of 2/17 from three overs, dismissing Dewald Brevis and Keshav Maharaj. While the rest of the Indian bowlers contributed effectively, Bumrah’s incisive spell set the tone and made him the standout performer in the opening T20I.

Boom boom, Bumrah! 🤩😎Wicket number 100 in T20Is for #JaspritBumrah! Simply inevitable 👏🇮🇳#INDvSA, 1st T20I, LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/tqu4j7Svcm

Hardik Pandya was named Player of the Match in the first T20I of the five-match series for his unbeaten 59 off 28 balls. He also contributed with the ball, taking the wicket of David Miller and finishing with figures of 1/16.

The second match of the five-match T20I series will be played on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh.