Pandya’s Power Surge Seals Series as India Clinch 5th T20I Against South Africa

Hardik Pandya delivered a strong statement with the bat as India defeated South Africa by 30 runs in the 5th T20I in Ahmedabad on Friday. With this win, India won the five-match series 3-1 and underlined their growing authority in white-ball cricket before the T20 World Cup.

Pandya’s stunning 63 off just 25 balls powered India to a match-winning 231 for 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket arena. 

Pandya and Varma Turn the Match on Its Head

Put in to bat after the fourth T20I ended without a ball due to heavy fog in Lucknow, India began positively through Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. The openers attacked the powerplay, rotated strike efficiently, and forced South Africa’s bowlers to defend from the outset.

Corbin Bosch broke the opening stand by removing Abhishek for 34, while left-arm spinner George Linde accounted for Samson on 37. India then suffered a setback when captain Suryakumar Yadav fell for five, extending a difficult run that has raised questions ahead of the World Cup.

Pandya walked in with intent written all over his approach. He launched Bosch for a towering six immediately, then dismantled Linde with two sixes and two fours in a single over.

Tilak Varma played with freedom and precision, punishing length errors and finding gaps square of the wicket. Together, Pandya and Varma added a brutal 105 runs for the fourth wicket.

Pandya reached his fifty from just 16 balls, registering India’s second-fastest T20I half-century, behind only Yuvraj Singh’s iconic 12-ball effort in 2007. His innings featured five fours and five sixes, each strike delivered with ruthless clarity.

Late Carnage Pushes India Beyond Reach

Pandya eventually fell to Ottneil Baartman, but the damage had already been done. Varma continued the assault and reached 73 before a run-out on the penultimate delivery. India smashed 116 runs from the final eight overs, lifting the total beyond South Africa’s comfort zone.

Vice-captain Shubman Gill missed the match after injuring his right foot during net practice in Lucknow, yet India’s depth ensured no disruption to their batting momentum.

De Kock Fights, Then the Chase Slips Away

South Africa approached the chase with aggression. Quinton de Kock, playing his 100th T20I, looked fluent from the outset and struck the ball cleanly through the line. His 65 off 35 balls gave the visitors belief, especially during a brisk 51-run stand with Dewald Brevis, who scored 31 off 17 deliveries.

The turning point arrived when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed De Kock with a pinpoint yorker that forced a mistimed return catch.. 

Varun Chakravarthy seized control during the middle overs. The spinner dismissed Donovan Ferreira and George Linde and finished with four wickets, choking South Africa’s chase through disciplined variations and sharp turn.

Bumrah returned figures of 2 for 17 and led the attack with control and composure. Regular wickets ensured South Africa never rebuilt a meaningful partnership, and their innings ended at 201/8 in 20 overs.

India Extend Dominance Ahead of World Cup

The victory marked India’s eighth consecutive T20I series win, a run that began in December 2023 and continues to reinforce their consistency in the format. While South Africa started the tour with a dominant Test series win, the white-ball leg belonged firmly to India, who also won the ODI series 2-1.