Tilak Steadies, Hardik Explodes As India Soar to 231 vs SA in 5th T20

India produced their most complete batting performance in the series finale. They controlled every phase, from the powerplay to the final overs. Tilak Varma held the innings together in the middle, and Hardik Pandya finished it with power and intent, leaving South Africa facing a huge total.

Sanju Samson started with positive intent and clean shots, while Abhishek Sharma supported him well and kept the scoring rate high in the powerplay. Once the field spread, the innings needed stability, and Tilak Varma took that role.

Tilak Varma Controls the Middle

Tilak Varma batted with patience and clarity, as he avoided risky shots and trusted his timing. He kept the scoreboard moving even as wickets fell around him. His 73 off 42 balls included ten fours and one six, but his calm approach mattered the most.

When Suryakumar Yadav got out early, India needed control, and Tilak rotated the strike well and found gaps regularly. South Africa tried different bowlers to slow him down, but nothing worked. He stayed balanced and composed, took India deep, and set the base for a strong finish.

Hardik Pandya Flips the Script

Hardik Pandya changed the game as soon as he settled, as he attacked straight away and struck the ball cleanly. The momentum shifted quickly as he cleared the boundary with ease. He reached his half-century in just 16 balls with a powerful six off Corbin Bosch.

Pandya scored 63 from 25 balls with 10 boundaries, in which he smashed five fours and five sixes. This helped him reach his half-century so quickly, where he dominated every bowler. The final overs became one-sided, especially for Marco Jansen, who conceded 50 runs from four overs, and India crossed 220 comfortably and kept attacking. 

Late Runs Stretch the Gap Further

India kept pressing even after Pandya walked back, where Shivam Dube came out swinging and struck 10 off just three balls. Tilak Varma was caught short near the end, a rare misstep in a fluent knock.

The innings closed at 231 for five, and this innings was not only about power. It was about control and timing, where Tilak Varma built the platform, and Hardik Pandya finished the job. Together, they turned a strong innings into a commanding total, and now, the chase awaits, and it will be a hard one.