South Africa bowled out for 74 runs; massive win for India in Cuttack

CUTTACK: India defeated South Africa by 101 runs in the first T20I match. Batting first, India scored 175 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. In reply, the visitors were bowled out for just 74 runs in 12.3 overs. Youngster Dewald Brevis was South Africa’s top scorer with 22 runs. For India, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel took two wickets each, while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, after losing the toss, India batted first and posted 175/6 in the allotted 20 overs. While both the top order and middle order failed to perform, it was all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s half-century that helped India reach a good total. Hardik scored an unbeaten 59 from 28 balls with six fours and four sixes.

Shubman Gill, returning from injury, was dismissed for just 4 off 2 balls in the first over. Captain Suryakumar Yadav (12 off 11) and Abhishek Sharma (17 off 12) also fell early. After the power play, India were struggling at 48 for 3. Tilak Varma scored 26 off 32 balls but found it difficult to settle. Axar Patel (23 off 21) and Shivam Dube (11 off 9) also disappointed. Wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma remained unbeaten on 10 off 5 balls.