Hardik Pandya’s Explosive 59 Lifts India to 175 as SA Collapses Early

India batted their way to a fighting total of 175/6 in their 20 overs after initially being tested by the fast bowlers of South Africa. The hosts struck early wickets immediately, and Shubman Gill was sent back 4 off 2 balls in the first over, and soon after, Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed, and India were at 17/2 in 3 overs. Abhishek Sharma steadied the innings with a quick 17 off 12, but was run out at 48/3 in the seventh over.

Tilak Varma took charge in the middle overs and contributed a patient 26 off 32, and Axar Patel contributed 23 off 21 with a six. The momentum shifted when Hardik Pandya walked in.

Pandya launched a powerful counterattack, hitting 59 not out in only 28 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes, propelling India to an emphatic finish. He reached his 50 off 25 deliveries and had a strike rate of 210.71, which propelled India to the 170 mark. Jitesh Sharma concluded with a fast 10 on 5 balls with a six and ended the innings at 175/6.

South Africa's bowlers have mixed returns. The best performer was Lungi Ngidi, who took 3 for 31 in his 4 overs, getting Gill, Suryakumar, and Tilak. Lutho Sipamla had 2/38 and Donovan Ferreira contributed a tidy 1/13 in 2 overs, which came in at the right time. Marco Jansen gave 23 runs without a wicket, and Anrich Nortje was costly once again, conceding 41 runs in his 4 overs.

A dip in the middle of the innings had held India to 78/3 at drinks, but the Pandya revival had taken them to 175/6.

South Africa’s Troubled Start

Quinton de Kock was dismissed for 0 off 2 balls, having been caught by Abhishek Sharma against Arshdeep Singh in the first over, leaving South Africa 0/1. Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs remained unbeaten when rain or a halt came, and the scoreboard was 2/1 after 0.3 overs.

Markram had yet to take a single ball, and Stubbs was 2 off 1. South Africa still had a long batting lineup to come, with Brevis, Miller, Ferreira, and Jansen, and yet to bat, when India received a good opening, and they obtained a solid grip.