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CUTTACK: Hardik Pandya dazzled on his T20I return with an all-round display, leading India to a commanding 101-run victory over South Africa in the first match of the T20I series here on Tuesday.
Set 176 under lights at Barabati Stadium, South Africa’s explosive batting line was skittled for 74 in only 12.3 overs, thanks to a clinical bowling display from the Men in Blue.
Arshdeep Singh provided India a top start with the prized wicket of Quinton de Kock, caught out on the second ball of the innings.
It was Arshdeep again who sent back Tristan Stubbs in the third over, reducing the Proteas to 16-2.
Stubbs was caught behind after hitting two boundaries in his 14 off nine.
India continued to pile on pressure with wickets at regular intervals as South Africa lost half of their side in the seventh over.
The experienced middle-order comprising Aiden Markram and David Miller could not arrest the slide, as all of the Indian bowlers chipped in with wickets on their own.
Eventually, the visitor’s whole side was bowled out for a mere score.
For India, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel scalped two wickets apiece. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube also managed to take one each.
Earlier, India racked up 175 for six in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to Hardik Pandya’s 59* from 28, which included four sixes and half a dozen boundaries.
South Africa put India on the ropes in the first 13 overs as the home side was reduced to 104-5.
However, Pandya, on his return after injury, turned the tide in India’s favor with a blistering knock, which not only lifted them out of trouble but propelled them to a winning total.
For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi starred with the ball and picked up three wickets in four overs. Lutho Sipamla remained the other notable contributor with two wickets to his name.
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