KEY POINTS
- Hardik Pandya (63 off 25) and Tilak Varma (73 off 42) powered India to a massive 231/5 with a 105-run stand.
- Spinner Varun Chakravarthy triggered a collapse with 4/53, taking four wickets for just 15 runs in the middle overs.
- South Africa’s chase of 232 faltered after a fiery start (118/1 in 10 overs) led by Quinton de Kock’s 65.
- Jasprit Bumrah’s crucial spell (2/17 in 4 overs) proved decisive in defending the total under pressure.
AHMEDABAD: India ended 2025 with a 3-1 T20I home series win, defeating South Africa by 30 runs in the fifth match at Ahmedabad on Friday. Half-centuries from Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma, along with four wickets from Varun Chakravarthy, sealed the final victory.
Set a daunting target of 232, South Africa launched a furious assault, spearheaded by Quinton de Kock’s 65 and a rapid start from Dewald Brevis. The pair rocketed the visitors to 118 for 1 in just 10 overs, threatening to turn the night into a nightmare for the hosts.
The Great Turnaround: Four Wickets for 15 Runs
The momentum shifted dramatically in the middle overs. As the dew subsided and a drier ball was introduced, India’s bowlers, led by the mystery spin of Varun (4 for 53), triggered a catastrophic collapse. From a position of strength at 142 for 3, South Africa lost four wickets for just 15 runs, a period that effectively ended their challenge.
The ever-reliable Jasprit Bumrah provided the crucial difference on a high-scoring night, delivering a masterclass of death bowling with figures of 2 for 17 from his four overs. Marco Jansen’s late sixes provided a final flicker of hope, but the damage had been done.
The Foundation: Hardik & Tilak’s Electrifying Stand
The victory was built on a sensational batting performance. After a solid start began to plateau, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma combined for a match-turning 105-run partnership off just 47 balls.
Hardik was utterly destructive, smashing the second-fastest T20I fifty for India (off 18 balls) on his way to a 25-ball 63. His assault included 31 runs from his first seven deliveries faced. Tilak Varma provided sublime support and continuity, anchoring the innings with a classy 73 from 42 balls. Their partnership propelled India to a commanding 231 for 5, a total that ultimately proved just beyond South Africa’s reach.
The win underscores India’s remarkable depth and ability to win under pressure. Defending any total under lights in Indian conditions remains a formidable task, a fact highlighted by the tension that lasted until South Africa’s eighth wicket fell.
The contributions came from across the lineup: a fiery start from the top order, a game-changing middle-order blast, and a collective bowling effort that held its nerve when most needed. The series victory marks another dominant chapter for the Indian T20I side as they continue their preparations for the future.
Brief Scores: India 231/5 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 73, Hardik Pandya 63; Ottniel Baartman 2/44) beat South Africa 201/8 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 65; Varun Chakravarthy 4/53, Jasprit Bumrah 2/17) by 30 runs.
