It was just the start that the Indian team wanted in the five-match T20I series as India defeated South Africa by 101 runs in 1st T20I. Hardik Pandya returned to the Indian team playing eleven, and what was returned was giving an all-round performance and also winning the Man of the Match award, helping India take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
The fortune again did not favour the Indian team as they again lost a wicket, but looking at the result, it was a good toss to lose as the Indian captain spoke about him being confused, looking at the wicket, what to do. Aiden Markram, the South African captain, was clear that his team would chase on this wicket. The Indian team left out Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana.
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Hardik Pandya shines as India defeated South Africa by 101 runs in 1st T20I
Shubman Gill was back in the team after the injury, and it just took him three balls to get back to the pavilion. India lost two early wickets as they lost Gill and captain Suryakumar in the third over. Tilak Varma and Axar Patel tried to steady the innings but got out on 26 and 23, respectively. It was Hardik’s day. Hardik Pandya scored 59 runs in 28 balls, which included six boundaries and four massive sixes. India posted 175/6 in their 20 overs. Lungi Ngidi was South Africa’s pick of the bowlers.
It only took two balls for Arsdeep Singh to take a wicket for the Indian team as he dismissed Quinton de Kock. South Africa never looked comfortable as they lost half of their team on 50 as they were 50/5 in the 8th over. It was just 24 runs that the other five wickets could add as South Africa got all out on 74. All bowlers who bowled got a wicket each, as Hardik and Dube got a wicket each, whereas Arshdeep, Bumrah, Varun, and Axar all got two wickets each
India won the first T20I by 101 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Hardik Pandya was given the Man of the Match award for his 59 runs with the bat and one wicket with the ball. The second T20I is on the 11th of December as Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur in Chandigarh is the venue for the match.