IND vs SA T20I at Barabati: Hardik Pandya’s fiery knock powers India to competitive total

Riding on a brisk half century by star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, hosts India set a competitive victory target of 176 against the visiting South Africa side in the first T20I of the five-match series at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday.

Put into bat first after losing the loss, India were restricted to 175 for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.

Returning to the Indian team after a long injury lay-off, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya (59 n o, 28b, 6x4, 4x6) shone with the bat. Though wickets kept tumbling on the other end at regular intervals, Pandya mixed aggression with caution and emerged as the highest scorer for the hosts. His mature knock helped India set a competitive total against the Proteas.

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Though most of the top order batters got good starts, they failed to convert those starts into substantial scores. As a result, India lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to register a formidable total due to lack of partnerships.

Abhishek Sharma (17, 12b, 2x4, 1x6), Tilak Varma (26, 32b, 2x4, 1x6), Axar Patel (23, 21b, 1x6) wasted golden opportunities to score big despite getting good starts.

Lungi Ngidi (3/31) was the wrecker-in-chief for South Africa. He was well supported by Lutho Sipamla (2/38).