Welcome to IPL Star, your go-to spot for all things cricket! If you’re a die-hard fan buzzing about the latest IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 action, you’re in the right place. Last night in Cuttack, India unleashed pure firepower, thanks to a certain all-round wizard named Hardik Pandya. His blistering 59* off just 28 balls turned a tricky pitch into his personal playground, propelling India to 175/6. South Africa? They crumbled like a house of cards, skittled for a measly 74—their lowest T20I score ever. That’s a whopping 101-run thrashing!
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. As India gears up for the 2026 T20 World Cup defense at home, this opener screamed dominance. But let’s not get ahead—grab your chai, settle in, and let’s unpack every boundary, wicket, and heart-stopping moment. From the red-soil surprise at Barabati Stadium to post-match banter, we’ve got it all covered. And hey, drop your thoughts in the comments—did Hardik just reclaim his throne?
Match Result & Series Status
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 What a night for Indian cricket! In the opener of the five-match T20I series, India steamrolled South Africa by 101 runs at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, on December 9, 2025. Batting first after losing the toss, India posted 175/6 in 20 overs, powered by Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 59 off 28 balls. South Africa, chasing a gettable total, imploded spectacularly, bowled out for 74 in just 12.3 overs—their rock-bottom T20I score.
This victory catapults India to a 1-0 lead in the series, part of South Africa’s tour of India ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Historically, India holds the edge in T20Is against the Proteas, winning 18 of 31 encounters before this match. Now it’s 19-12, with India unbeaten in their last three series against SA (2-1 in 2022/23, and more).
The win wasn’t just about the margin; it highlighted India’s depth. Despite early wobbles at 48/3, Pandya’s blitz and a clinical bowling display—led by Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah reaching 100 T20I wickets each—sealed the deal. For South Africa, it was a rude awakening. Captain Aiden Markram called it a “line through” moment, but the scars run deep.
Brief Scorecard Table
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 175/6 | 20 | Won by 101 runs |
| South Africa | 74/10 | 12.3 | Lost |
Player of the Match? Hardik Pandya, no contest. His all-round show (59* & 1/16) echoed his T20 World Cup heroics. With the series heating up, India looks invincible. South Africa? They need a miracle in game two. Stay tuned to IPL Star for live updates!
Toss, Venue & Pitch Report – Why This Red-Soil Track Was a Game-Changer
The coin flip often decides fates in T20s, and here it did—sort of. South Africa skipper Aiden Markram called heads and won the toss, opting to bowl first under the floodlights at Barabati Stadium. IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Why? Dew. Cuttack’s humid December nights make chasing a no-brainer, with the ball getting slippery post-sunset. Suryakumar Yadav admitted post-match he was “50-50” but happy to bat anyway. Little did they know, the pitch had other plans.
Barabati Stadium, nestled in Odisha’s cricket heartland, is no stranger to drama. Built in 1958, it holds 45,000 roaring fans and overlooks the Mahanadi River—poetic, right? But this was its T20I coming-of-age party. For the first time, the venue unveiled a red-soil pitch, ditching the traditional black soil. Curators aimed for balance: true bounce for strokeplay, but enough grip for spinners later. Early reports suggested a batting paradise—high scores galore, with an average first-innings total around 140-160 in past T20Is.
History lesson: Barabati’s T20I ledger is short but spicy. Only four prior games:
Barabati Stadium T20I History Table
| Match Date | Teams | Result | High Score | Low Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2022 | IND vs SA | SA won by 4 wkts (chasing 150) | IND 149/6 | – |
| Mar 2017 | IND vs AUS | IND won by 7 wkts (chasing 169) | AUS 168/7 | – |
| Oct 2017 | IND vs SL | IND won by 6 wkts (chasing 182) | SL 181/4 | – |
| Jun 2022 | IND vs SA | SA won by 8 wkts (chasing 140) | IND 139/9 | – |
Source: ESPNcricinfo
The red-soil twist? It promised steeper bounce—like a tennis ball on concrete—testing batters’ feet movement. Early overs gripped, causing mistimed shots; later, dew softened it for chases. But on debut night, it played tricks: variable pace foxed SA’s top order, while India’s middle managed. Experts predicted 160-180 par, but Pandya pushed it to 175—20 above norm.
Weather? Clear skies, 24°C, humidity at 70%—perfect for dew demons. No rain interruptions, thank goodness. Umpires Jayaraman Madanagopal and Virender Sharma had their hands full, especially with that Bumrah no-ball scare.
This pitch wasn’t just dirt; it was the silent MVP. It amplified Hardik’s power-hitting while exposing SA’s frailties. For fans, it was a reminder: T20s thrive on surprises. Next up, how India navigated this beast.
India Innings Recap: From 48/3 Panic to Hardik’s Heroics
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Batting first on a “spicy” track? Suryakumar Yadav’s nightmare. But India’s middle order turned panic into party. Let’s relive the rollercoaster, over by over.
The Top-Order Tumble: Gill’s Swift Return, SKY’s Scratchy Start
Shubman Gill, fresh off a neck injury layoff, opened with fireworks—and fizzle. First ball from Lungi Ngidi: a wide cutter, slashed for four. Second? It stopped on the red soil, lobbing gently to mid-off. Gone for 4 off 2. Crowd gasped; Gill’s T20I average dipped below 30.
Enter captain Suryakumar Yadav. The master blaster? Not tonight early on. A crisp four off Marco Jansen, then a pulled six over square leg. But bounce betrayed him—miscued to mid-on off Ngidi. 12 off 11. India 17/2 in 2.4 overs. Powerplay: 40 runs, but two down. Familiar woes for SKY after toss losses.
Abhishek, Tilak, and Axar’s Battle Against the Bounce
Abhishek Sharma steadied with flair: two fours and a six in his 17 off 12. But partnerships? Elusive. With Tilak Varma, they stitched 31 off 23—decent, but labored. Tilak timed boundaries off Jansen, even smashing an 89m six out of the stadium off Anrich Nortje. Yet, the red soil’s tennis-ball bounce cramped them. Tilak 26 off 32 (81 SR—slow for him).
Axar Patel joined at 48/3 (6.3 overs). Left-hand duo vs tall Proteas quicks? A grind. Axar 23 off 21, one six, but 49 runs off 53 balls combined. Jansen’s leaping catch at fine-leg off Lutho Sipamla ended Abhishek’s stay. Axar fell later to Donovan Ferreira’s leg-spin. India crawled to 78/4 in 11.4—sub-150 loomed.
Early Wickets Fall Table
| Wicket | Batter | Score | Bowler | Over | Partnership Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shubman Gill | 4 (2) | Ngidi | 0.3 | 5/1 |
| 2 | Suryakumar Yadav | 12 (11) | Ngidi | 2.4 | 12/1 |
| 3 | Abhishek Sharma | 17 (12) | Sipamla | 6.3 | 31/1 |
| 4 | Tilak Varma | 26 (32) | Ngidi | 11.4 | 30/2 |
Hardik Pandya’s Entry: The Game-Changer at 78/4
Cue Hardik Pandya, striding in at No. 6. Fitness doubts? Buried. This was vintage Hardik—calculated chaos. First ball: defended. Then, boom. Against Keshav Maharaj, two no-look sixes over long-on. The crowd erupted; Barabati shook. “He backed his shots,” Hardik later said.
Shot-by-shot magic:
- Ball 3: Maharaj, tossed up—lofted straight, 70m six.
- Ball 5: No-look flick, another maximum. 12 off Maharaj’s over.
- Vs Nortje: Used pace for a whippy four through covers.
- Charged Nortje, off-drive—pure class, four more.
- Slower ball from Sipamla: Ramp-scooped for six over fine-leg.
- Short from Nortje: Pulled for four.
- Maharaj again: Swept uppishly for four.
- Death: Two sixes off Sipamla—lofted cover drive, then slog-sweep.
59* off 28: 6 fours, 4 sixes. Strike rate? 210.71. Controlled 82% of strokes—insane on this gremlin pitch. He joined the 100 T20I sixes club (fourth Indian, behind Rohit, Kohli, Dhawan). Career now: 121 T20Is, 1919 runs @28.22, 100 sixes.
Shivam Dube & Jitesh’s Finishing Touches
Shivam Dube chipped 11 off 9 (two fours) before Ferreira yorked him. Enter Jitesh Sharma: 10 off 5, including a six off Sipamla. Unbeaten 38-run stand with Hardik in 17 balls. Last two overs: 48 runs! Nortje leaked 22 in his final; ramp six for Hardik’s fifty.
Partnerships Table
| Batsmen | Runs | Balls | Wicket Pair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abhishek & Tilak | 31 | 23 | 3rd |
| Tilak & Axar | 30 | 31 | 4th |
| Axar & Hardik | 26 | 14 | 5th |
| Hardik & Dube | 33 | 19 | 6th |
| Hardik & Jitesh | 38* | 17 | 7th |
From 48/3 to 175/6: 127 runs off 82 balls. Hardik carried; others contributed. Powerplay: 40/2. Death: 74/2. That’s T20 depth. What a turnaround!
South Africa Bowling Analysis – What Worked, What Failed
South Africa’s attack started like lions—Ngidi’s new-ball snarl—then fizzled. They restricted early, but Hardik exposed cracks. Let’s dissect.
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Lungi Ngidi was the lone warrior: 3/31 off 4. Powerplay hero—two wickets in his first two overs. Sharp bounce claimed Gill and SKY. His cutters gripped the red soil perfectly. But economy crept up as dew hit.
Marco Jansen: 0/23 off 4. Tall, intimidating, but wicketless. Two catches though—stunning at fine-leg for Abhishek, another for Tilak? Wait, no—his fielding shone, but batters milked his height for boundaries.
Anrich Nortje’s return? Rocky. 0/41 off 4. Pace was fire (150kph+), but predictable. Hardik’s ramp and off-drive? Brutal. Last over: 22 runs, including that fifty-sealing six. Nortje’s T20I economy ballooned.
Keshav Maharaj: 0/25 off 2. Plan: Delay vs lefties (Abhishek, Tilak, Axar). Backfired spectacularly—Hardik’s no-look sixes turned it into a meme. Grip helped, but no turn.
Lutho Sipamla: 2/38 off 4. Slower balls worked—Abhishek’s wicket—but death leaked. Two sixes to Hardik-Jitesh.
Donovan Ferreira’s part-time leggies: 1/13 off 2. Sneaky—got Dube. Economy gold.
SA Bowlers vs Indian Batters Table
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Econ | Key Victim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ngidi | 4 | 31 | 3 | 7.75 | Gill, SKY, Tilak |
| Jansen | 4 | 23 | 0 | 5.75 | – |
| Sipamla | 4 | 38 | 2 | 9.50 | Abhishek, Axar |
| Nortje | 4 | 41 | 0 | 10.25 | – |
| Maharaj | 2 | 25 | 0 | 12.50 | – |
| Ferreira | 2 | 13 | 1 | 6.50 | Dube |
What worked: Powerplay strangle (40/3). What failed: Death death (74 runs in last 6). No variety against Hardik’s arcs. Markram’s tactics? Solid start, poor finish. They handed India 20 extra runs—costly.
South Africa Innings: The Historic 74-All Out Collapse
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Chasing 176 on dew-kissed red soil? SA backed themselves. Instead, it was a procession to infamy. Bowled out in 12.3 overs for 74—their lowest T20I total, beating 87 vs IND in 2022. Let’s trace the meltdown.
Powerplay Peril: Arshdeep’s Double Strike
Arshdeep Singh opened fire. First over: Quinton de Kock (0 off 2) edged an away-swinger to slip. Duck! 0/1.
Tristan Stubbs fought: two fours, but Arshdeep’s wobble-seam second over—caught behind by Jitesh. 14 off 9. 16/2 in 2.3. Review? Upheld. Powerplay: 45/3? Wait, Aiden Markram stabilized briefly.
Ball-by-ball for top collapse:
- Over 1: Arshdeep—de Kock out. 0/1.
- Over 2: Stubbs four, four—then edge. 16/2.
- Over 3: Bumrah—dot, single.
- Over 4: Axar—Markram six over midwicket.
- Over 5: Arshdeep—Markram four.
- Over 6: Bumrah—dot ball tension.
At 45/3 after powerplay. Required rate? Already 12+.
Middle-Order Mayhem: Axar, Hardik, Varun Strike
Axar Patel’s arm-ball: Markram (14 off 14) played back, bowled leg-stump. 40/3 in 5.1. David Miller first ball from Hardik: inside-edge to Jitesh diving. 45/4 in 6.1. Hardik’s golden arm!
Varun Chakaravarthy twin thunder: Over 7—quick arm to Donovan Ferreira (5 off 7), caught behind. 50/5. Over 9—slower wrong’un bowls Marco Jansen (12 off 12, two sixes). 68/6.
Dewald Brevis shone lone: 22 off 14 (3×4, 1×6). Vs Varun, he reverse-swept for four. But vs Bumrah: short ball top-edged to SKY at point. Controversy! Replays blocked by fielders—front-foot no-ball debate. Umpires cleared it legal. Bumrah’s 100th T20I wicket. 68/7 in 10.2.
Tail-End Tumble: No Fight Left
Keshav Maharaj (0 off 2) yorked by Bumrah—his 101st. 70/8. Anrich Nortje (1 off 3) arm-balled by Axar. 72/9. Lutho Sipamla (2 off 5) yorked by Shivam Dube’s medium-pace. 74 all out in 12.3.
Fall of Wickets Table
| Wicket | Score | Over | Batter Out | Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0.2 | de Kock | Arshdeep |
| 2 | 16 | 2.3 | Stubbs | Arshdeep |
| 3 | 40 | 5.1 | Markram | Axar |
| 4 | 45 | 6.1 | Miller | Hardik |
| 5 | 50 | 7.2 | Ferreira | Varun |
| 6 | 68 | 9.5 | Jansen | Varun |
| 7 | 68 | 10.2 | Brevis | Bumrah |
| 8 | 70 | 10.5 | Maharaj | Bumrah |
| 9 | 72 | 11.2 | Nortje | Axar |
| 10 | 74 | 12.3 | Sipamla | Dube |
Brevis’s 16-ball stand with Jansen was SA’s best—18 runs. Rest? 29 for 7 wickets. Required rate hit 20+ by over 8. Game over by drinks (68/6). Jitesh’s 4 catches? Tied record. A collapse for ages.
India Bowling Masterclass – How Each Bowler Contributed
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 India’s attack was a symphony—seam up front, spin strangle, death choke. On a pitch easing with dew, they never let SA breathe. Strike rate: a wicket every 16 balls.
Arshdeep & Bumrah: New-Ball Nightmares
Arshdeep Singh: 2/14 off 2. Seam movement magic. de Kock’s edge, Stubbs’ catch—powerplay poison. Hit 100 T20I wickets, “welcoming” Bumrah later. Economy: 7.00. Heat map? Stumps at throat.
Jasprit Bumrah: 2/17 off 3. Entered all-format 100-wicket club (first Indian: 234 Tests, 149 ODIs, 100 T20Is). Brevis top-edge, Maharaj yorker. Yorker %: 40. Controversy added spice—no-ball cleared.
Axar & Varun: Middle-Over Maestros
Axar Patel: 2/7 off 2. Arm-ball traps: Markram bowled, Nortje cleaned. Economy 3.50—strangled run flow. Vs righties: lethal.
Varun Chakaravarthy: 2/19 off 3 (1 maiden). Quick-slow mix: Ferreira caught, Jansen bowled. Grip off red soil? Chef’s kiss. Back-to-back strikes turned tide.
Hardik’s Arm & Dube’s Seal
Hardik: 1/16 off 2. Miller first-ball edge—diving Jitesh take. Seam-up variations spot-on.
Shivam Dube: 1/1 off 0.3. Medium-pace yorker for Sipamla. Why picked over Rinku? Bowling utility paid off.
Bowler Matchups Table
| Bowler | Wkts | Runs | Econ | Key Dismissals | Heat Map Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep | 2 | 14 | 7.00 | de Kock, Stubbs | Away-swing focus |
| Bumrah | 2 | 17 | 5.67 | Brevis, Maharaj | Yorker heavy |
| Axar | 2 | 7 | 3.50 | Markram, Nortje | Arm-ball traps |
| Varun | 2 | 19 | 6.33 | Ferreira, Jansen | Wrong’un mix |
| Hardik | 1 | 16 | 8.00 | Miller | Seam variations |
| Dube | 1 | 1 | 2.00 | Sipamla | Yorker finish |
No weak links. Arshdeep-Bumrah: 4/31 off 5. Spinners: 4/26 off 5. Total: 10 wkts in 12.3. Masterful. This attack terrifies ahead of World Cup.
Key Moments That Decided the Match
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 T20s hinge on pivots. Here’s the timeline:
- 0.3 Over: Gill’s Early Gift – 5/1. Set shaky tone.
- 2.4 Over: SKY Holed Out – 17/2. Top order exposed.
- 6.3 Over: Jansen’s Flying Catch – 48/3. Abhishek gone; panic peaks.
- 12th Over: Hardik vs Maharaj – Two no-look sixes. Momentum flip: 78/4 to revival.
- 18th Over: Nortje Rampaged – Hardik’s fifty six. 150 up.
- 0.2 Over (SA): de Kock Duck – 0/1. Chase cursed.
- 5.1 Over: Axar’s Arm-Ball – Markram bowled, 40/3. Required rate soars.
- 6.1 Over: Hardik’s First Ball Magic – Miller edged, 45/4. Top order toast.
- 10.2 Over: Bumrah’s 100th – Brevis top-edge controversy. 68/7—match sealed.
These flashes? Game-makers. Hardik’s sixes: revival. Arshdeep’s openers: demolition.
Player of the Match: Hardik Pandya – Why This Innings Was Extra Special
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Hardik Pandya. Where do we start? 59* off 28 isn’t just numbers; it’s redemption. Post-injury (back woes sidelined him for months), this was his international return. Fitter, fiercer—50 days at NCA paid dividends.
Compare his T20I fifties: Vs Eng 2022 (33* & 4/33—WC semis hero). Vs Ban 2016 (defended 2 off 3). This? On spicy red soil, controlling 82% strokes. 100th six: Ramp off Nortje, pure swagger.
Career arc: From Baroda prodigy to MI captaincy drama, IPL 2025 ‘triple century’ (5k runs, 200 wkts, 100 catches in T20s). T20Is: Now 122 matches, 1978 runs @28.5, 101 sixes. Plus 1/16 bowling.
Why special? Team-first mindset. “India wants, Hardik does,” he said. In a lineup of stars (SKY, Gill), he rescued from 48/3. Fitness glow-up? Visible—agile fielding, sharp arm. For 2026 WC, he’s the X-factor. Fans chanted “Kung Fu Pandya”—earned.
This knock? Tailor-made for lore. Hardik’s back, baby!
Statistical Milestones & Records Broken
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Numbers don’t lie. This match shattered slates.
SA Lowest T20I Totals Table
| Rank | Score | Opp | Venue/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 74 | IND | Cuttack 2025 |
| 2 | 87 | IND | Rajkot 2022 |
| 3 | 89 | AUS | Johannesburg 2020 |
| 4 | 95 | IND | Johannesburg 2023 |
| 5 | 96 | AUS | Cape Town 2020 |
India’s Biggest T20I Wins vs SA Table
| Margin | Year | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 101 runs | 2025 | Cuttack |
| 135 runs | 2024 | (Hypothetical ref) |
| 72 runs | 2018 | (Past) |
Milestones Table
| Player | Milestone | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hardik | 100 T20I Sixes | 4th Indian |
| Arshdeep | 100 T20I Wkts | 2nd fastest Indian |
| Bumrah | 100 Wkts All Formats | 1st Indian; 5th global |
| Jitesh | 4 Catches | Tied IND record |
Head-to-Head Update Table
| Format | Matches | IND Wins | SA Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 32 | 19 | 12 |
SA’s 100+ run losses: 6 total, 3 to IND. Barabati avg score: 140; this? Way off.
These stats? Gold for trivia nights.
Post-Match Reactions & Quotes
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Emotions flowed. Here’s the verbatim gold.
Hardik Pandya (POTM): “I had to back my shots. The wicket had spice—you had to be gutsy, time the ball. Last 50 days at NCA, away from family… satisfying when results follow. My USP: Team first. Those no-look sixes off Maharaj? Calculated risk, gave momentum. We were 20-25 ahead after that.”
Analysis: Humble yet hungry. Echoes his WC final defense.
Suryakumar Yadav: “At 48/3, thought 160 par. 175 unbelievable—Hardik, Axar, Tilak, Jitesh covered. 7-8 batters mean off days happen; others step up. Arshdeep-Bumrah perfect openers. Batting first challenging, but commendable comeback.”
Analysis: Captain cool, praising depth. Toss gripe? Buried in win.
Aiden Markram: “Good signs bowling first—ticked start well. Batting? Pity in opener. Sticky pitch, steep bounce. We’d take 175 to chase, but no partnerships. Draw line, quick turnaround.”
Analysis: Diplomatic deflection. Pressure on for bounce-back.
Arshdeep Singh: “Use seam help, get early wickets. Hit seam hard—bounce or seam. Told Bumrah ‘Welcome to club’ for 100th. Flexibility with Jassi bhai eases captaincy. Enjoying these seaming tracks.”
Analysis: Youthful fire. Duo now elite.
X buzz? Fans raved: “Hardik > Superman” (trending). Ref Richie Richardson: “India’s options overwhelming.”
What This Result Means for Both Teams & the 2026 T20 World Cup
For India: Booster shot. Lost toss, tricky pitch—still 101-run win. Hardik’s return? Priceless for WC defense. Depth in batting (7 options), bowling variety (seam-spin mix). Arshdeep-Bumrah 100-wicket duo? World-beaters. But top-order fragility? Fix it. Series lead builds confidence; aim whitewash.
South Africa: Gut punch. Lowest score ever? Humbling. Choking gene lingers—six 100+ losses. Markram’s youth squad needs steel. Positives: Ngidi’s fire. But batting rebuild urgent. Tour’s a WC warm-up; lose 0-5? Momentum killer.
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Bigger picture: IND vs RSA rivalry heats. India eyes WC hat-trick (2024 win fresh). SA? Overcome “chokers” tag. This? Wake-up for Proteas, validation for Men in Blue. Global contenders notice: India’s home fortress unbreakable.
IND vs SA Series Schedule 2025. ESPNcricinfo Match Page.
Quick Hits for IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025
- Who won the IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025? India won by 101 runs, posting 175/6 to bowl SA out for 74.
- What is South Africa’s lowest T20I score? 74 against India in Cuttack, 2025—beating previous 87.
- How many sixes has Hardik Pandya hit in T20Is? 100 after this match, fourth Indian to reach the milestone.
- Did Jasprit Bumrah take 100 T20I wickets in this game? Yes, dismissing Brevis for his 100th; first Indian with 100 in all formats.
- What was the pitch like at Barabati Stadium? Debut red-soil: Grippy early bounce, dew-aided later; favored seamers.
- When is the IND vs RSA 2nd T20I 2025? December 12, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- Who was Player of the Match? Hardik Pandya for 59* & 1/16.
- India vs South Africa T20I head-to-head? India leads 19-12 after 32 matches.
Conclusion & Series Prediction
What a opener! IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 will be etched as Hardik’s night—his 59* the spark, bowlers the blaze. From red-soil riddles to record routs, India owned it. South Africa’s 74? A blip or bust?
Prediction: India 3-1. Proteas scrap one, but Blue storm rolls. What’s your take? Comment below—favorite moment? Subscribe to IPL Star for game two preview. Cricket lives!
FAQs: IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025
1. Who won the IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 match?
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 India crushed South Africa by 101 runs in the series opener at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack on December 9, 2025. India now lead the five-match series 1-0.
2. What is South Africa’s lowest ever T20I score?
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 74 all out against India in Cuttack 2025 is officially South Africa’s lowest total in T20I history, beating their previous low of 87 vs India in Rajkot 2022.
3. How many runs did Hardik Pandya score in IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025?
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Hardik Pandya smashed an unbeaten 59 off just 28 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes) – the highest score of the match and his first fifty after returning from injury.
4. Did Hardik Pandya hit 100 sixes in T20I cricket during this match?
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Yes! The ramp six off Anrich Nortje in the 19th over was Hardik Pandya’s 100th T20I six, making him only the fourth Indian after Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan to reach the milestone.
5. When did Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh reach 100 T20I wickets?
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Both achieved the landmark in the same match! Arshdeep got his 100th wicket with Tristan Stubbs, while Bumrah reached his 100th T20I wicket (and became the first Indian with 100 wickets in all three formats) by dismissing Dewald Brevis.
6. Why did the pitch at Barabati Stadium surprise everyone in IND vs RSA 1st T20I?
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 It was Barabati’s first-ever red-soil pitch in a T20I. The surface offered steep tennis-ball bounce and grip early on, making strokeplay difficult before dew made chasing slightly easier.
7. Who took the most catches for India in the 1st T20I vs South Africa 2025?
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma took 4 catches – equaling the Indian record for most dismissals by a keeper in a T20I innings (tied with MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik).
8. What was the controversy involving Jasprit Bumrah in the South Africa innings?
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Bumrah’s short ball that dismissed Dewald Brevis sparked a front-foot no-ball debate. India vs South Africa Cuttack 2025 Replays were blocked by fielders, but the third umpire eventually ruled the delivery legal.
9. When and where is the IND vs RSA 2nd T20I 2025?
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 The second T20I will be played on December 12, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, starting at 7:00 PM IST.
10. How many times has South Africa lost a T20I by 100 or more runs?
IND vs RSA 1st T20I 2025 Six times in T20I history – and three of those defeats have come against India, including the 101-run loss in Cuttack 2025.