India Dominates Cuttack T20I, Overwhelms South Africa by 101 Runs

India showcased a commanding performance against South Africa, winning by 101 runs in the T20I match held at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, on December 9, 2025. Hardik Pandya’s all-around excellence earned him the Player of the Match accolade, as he played a pivotal role in both the batting and bowling departments.

Match Summary

India set a target of 176 runs, finishing their innings at 175 for 6 in 20 overs. South Africa struggled to respond, collapsing for just 74 runs in 12.3 overs.

Key Performers

• Hardik Pandya: Top scored with 59 runs, building a strong foundation for India.
• Abhishek Sharma: Contributed a brisk 17 runs off 12 balls.
• Lungi Ngidi: Bowled well for South Africa, claiming 3 wickets.
• Arshdeep Singh & Jasprit Bumrah: Both were instrumental in dismantling the South African batting lineup.

India’s Innings

India faced early setbacks, losing Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav quickly. However, Hardik Pandya’s aggressive innings, featuring 5 fours and 4 sixes, revived the team’s fortunes. His knock guided India to a challenging score of 175.

Notable partnerships emerged, with Tilak Varma and Axar Patel lending crucial support in rebuilding after early wickets fell. The team’s momentum surged toward the end, scoring rapidly to reach a competitive total.

South Africa’s Response

Chasing 176, South Africa never got started. They lost quick wickets to Indian bowlers, with Arshdeep Singh making an immediate impact by dismissing Quinton de Kock for a duck.

The Proteas faced relentless pressure from India’s bowlers, particularly from Bumrah and Chakravarthy, who took wickets at regular intervals. The South African innings crumbled, culminating in an all-out score of just 74 runs.

Bowling Highlights

• Arshdeep Singh: 2 wickets for a mere 16 runs.
• Jasprit Bumrah: 3 wickets, including key dismissals of Keshav Maharaj and Dewald Brevis.
• Varun Chakravarthy: Contributed significantly with crucial wickets, disrupting South Africa’s innings.

With this emphatic victory, India not only demonstrated their batting prowess but also their exceptional bowling capabilities, marking a successful outing in Cuttack. The match served as a reminder of India’s dominance in T20 cricket.