With the pre-match conference setting up a T20 World Cup fever; India took the proteas to cleaners, dismantling the visitors for just 74 runs; their lowest-ever score in T20I history at the Barabati Stadium on Tuesday.
The re-laid square, which had been converted from black to red soil, was seen as a "good thing" for bounce and bat swing, by the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, but the surface proved deceptive and two-paced due to underlying dampness. Despite losing the toss and batting on a difficult track, India posted a competitive total of 175/6.
South Africa’s pacers initially exposed the Indian top order's inability to adapt to the sticky conditions. Lungi Ngidi exploited the holding surface to remove Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav, both of whom mistimed shots to fielders.
Abhishek Sharma also fell cheaply, victim to a brilliant diving catch by Marco Jansen. The Indian batters struggled to hit through the line against the hard lengths, leaving the team stuttering at 78/4 in the 12th over.
The momentum shifted entirely upon the arrival of Hardik Pandya. Returning to the side after an injury layoff, the all-rounder scored an unbeaten 59 off 28 balls, striking at 210.71 while his teammates struggled for timing.
Pandya targeted the spinners and the raw pace of Anrich Nortje, hitting six fours and four sixes, including his 100th career T20I six. His counter-attack allowed India to plunder 53 runs in the final five overs, setting a target that seemed imposing given the deterioration of the track.
India’s bowlers utilized the conditions with even greater precision. Arshdeep Singh derailed the chase immediately, removing Quinton de Kock with an outswinger and Tristan Stubbs with a wobble-seam delivery. Pandya followed up his batting heroics by dismissing David Miller with his very first delivery, inducing an inside edge to the keeper.
Amidst the collapse, Jasprit Bumrah achieved a major milestone, claiming his 100th T20I wicket by dismissing Dewald Brevis, becoming one of the few bowlers to reach the landmark in all three formats.
The spin duo of Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy ensured there was no middle-order pushback. Axar bowled Aiden Markram, while Chakaravarthy recovered from an expensive first over to take two wickets, including a googly that baffled Jansen.
South Africa’s batting lineup capitulated, losing five wickets for just 50 runs at one stage, and the innings folded in 12.3 overs. Shivam Dube claimed the final wicket to seal the game, confirming that the highly emphasized Indian World Cup preparation, has started on a winning note.
