Kolkata, December 9: India has set a target of 176 runs for South Africa in the first T20 match held at Barabati Stadium on Tuesday. Hardik Pandya played a brilliant unbeaten innings of 59 runs off 28 balls.
Hardik Pandya had been out of action for a long time after getting injured during the Asia Cup 2025 Super-4 match against Sri Lanka on September 26. After weeks of recovery, he impressed while playing for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, earning a spot back in the Indian team. In the very first match of the series, Pandya proved his fitness and form.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl, but India had a poor start. Shubman Gill was dismissed for 4 runs on the third ball itself. Soon after, captain Suryakumar Yadav was out for 12 runs.
India lost two wickets for 17 runs. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma then tried to steady the innings with a 31-run partnership for the third wicket. Abhishek scored 17 runs before returning to the pavilion.
Tilak Varma added 26 runs and then added 30 runs with Axar Patel for the fourth wicket. Hardik Pandya came to the crease and propelled the innings forward. He shared a 26-run partnership with Axar Patel (23), followed by 33 runs with Shivam Dube (11) and 38 runs with Jitesh Sharma, helping India recover from trouble. Pandya hit four sixes and six fours to remain unbeaten on 59 runs, while Jitesh Sharma scored an unbeaten 10 runs off 5 balls.
For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi took the highest three wickets, Lutho Sipamla claimed two wickets, and Devon Ferreira took one wicket.
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