South Africa could have began its tour to India with two well-known Check victories, however the dwelling crew ensured that there wouldn’t be a vivid finish to the go to.
Within the fifth and remaining T20I in Ahmedabad on Friday, India pulled out all of the stops to file a thumping win and a 3-1 sequence success.
The evening was set alight by a quickfire knock from Hardik Pandya, earlier than spinner Varun Chakravarthy (4/53) pulled the rug from underneath the South African chase.
IND vs SA fifth T20I | FULL SCORECARD
After being put in, a fantastic batting efficiency powered India to 231 for 5.
Hardik (63, 25b, 5×4, 5×6) exemplified the right T20 strategy, going after the bowling with actual intent.
There was a dip in momentum as an uncomfortable Suryakumar Yadav (5, 7b) didn’t get going as soon as once more. The 5 T20Is in opposition to New Zealand subsequent month give the skipper the final probability to get into the groove forward of the ICC males’s T20 World Cup.
Order was restored when Hardik got here in at 5. An expansive drive for six off the very first ball he confronted confirmed his damaging temper.
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By the point Hardik holed out within the final over, he had taken India properly previous the 200-run mark. The group stood up in unison to applaud Hardik—fairly the turnaround from the hostile reception he encountered at this very venue when he shifted allegiance from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024.
Hardik pulled India ahead within the firm of Tilak Varma (73, 42b, 10×4, 1×6). The duo’s 105-run fourth-wicket stand got here in 44 balls, with Tilak practically matching Hardik in intent.
Sanju Samson (37, 22b, 4×4, 2×6), drafted in to switch an injured Shubman Gill, gave India a superb begin with Abhishek Sharma (34, 21b, 6×4, 1×6).
The PowerPlay was crammed with aerial photographs and excessive tempo. Samson’s inclusion appeared to offer India added fluency, oftentimes lacking with Gill’s latest dip in kind.
Varun Chakravarthy (4/53) pulled the rug from underneath the South African chase.
| Photograph Credit score:
VIJAY SONEJI
Varun Chakravarthy (4/53) pulled the rug from underneath the South African chase.
| Photograph Credit score:
VIJAY SONEJI
South Africa stayed on observe due to an enterprising 35-ball 65 from opener Quinton de Kock. The customer threatened to steal it mid-way by way of the chase at 118 for one.
Jasprit Bumrah, as he has performed so many instances up to now, delivered when India wanted a breakthrough. Referred to as into the assault, Bumrah deceived De Kock with a slower one, which was lobbed again to the bowler.
Hardik adopted up with a slower bouncer within the subsequent over to take out Dewald Brevis.
Varun then delivered the hammer blow, catching Aiden Markram on the pads and cleansing up Donovan Ferreira in a decisive thirteenth over.
In a matter of three overs, South Africa crashed to 136 for 5. A miserly seventeenth over, the place Bumrah conceded two runs, shut South Africa out of the competition.
Revealed on Dec 19, 2025