Team India won the opening T20I against South Africa by 101 runs on Tuesday, December 9, at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. With the win, India established an early 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Opting to bat first after the toss, hosts scored a challenging total of 175/6 in 20 overs. Hardik Pandya was the star of the show with a swashbuckling cameo knock of 59*(28) as his teammates found it difficult to settle on a difficlut pitch. In the bowling department, pacer Lungi Ngidi scalped three wickets for Proteas.
The Indian bowling then combined beautifully and swept out South Africa for 74 in 12.3 overs. Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy picked up two wickets each while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube took one.
The one-sided first T20I between India and South Africa didn’t keep the audience interested. They clapped back with funny X (née Twitter) memes. One post reads:
Hardik Pandya is in his own league 😂🫡 pic.twitter.com/GsU5EDQbo2
— Homie (@homelander_yyy) December 9, 2025South African Coach #indvssa1stt20
Hardik Pandya pic.twitter.com/UevGbDhajz
— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) December 9, 2025When you are celebrating and suddenly hear coach Gambhir addressing Hardik Pandya as 'captain Hardik'. pic.twitter.com/MykWeJ15T1
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 9, 2025Arshdeep Singh 🔥🔥#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/Spn8YqgNZQ
— शिवाय (@mohbhangpiya) December 9, 2025Scenes after 2026 T20 WC if we are being brutally honest pic.twitter.com/c34TT18wiB
— ` (@bdrijalab) December 9, 2025T 20 ka dhurandhar 🫡 pic.twitter.com/E1O1TJShds
— maithun (@Being_Humor) December 9, 2025Fufaji, when only dulha gets badam wala doodh pic.twitter.com/fo16FTzYZW
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) December 9, 2025Best white ball all-rounder
Hardik Pandya 🥶#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/L5a2aMq4iC
— Gagan🇮🇳 (@1no_aalsi_) December 9, 2025He is missing his 5'4" guy pic.twitter.com/Ow0Hv0vmlW
— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) December 9, 2025Arshdeep Singh 🫱🏼🫲🏻 Bhuvi pic.twitter.com/9MBCTtwmIp
— Homie (@homelander_yyy) December 9, 2025Hardik Pandya ‘Very Satisfied’ with His Batting After Match-Winning Knock
Player of the Match Hardik Pandya was given that award during the first T20I for his all-round effort. Explaining his innings in the first essay, Pandya said:
“I had to back my shots. At the same point of time I realized that the wicket had a bit of spice. It was more about timing the ball and not trying to break ball. I was very satisfied the way I was batting. The last 6-7 months have been amazing from a fitness standpoint. I don’t make a big deal about the hard work that goes in behind the scenes, the last 50 days, being away from your loved ones and spending time at the NCA, it feels satisfying when the result comes like this.”
He continued:
“As a cricketer I don’t think I have ever been fussy about what role I have. I have always been motivated that it does not matter what Hardik Pandya wants, it matters what India wants. Some days are good, some days are not but it’s the mindset that helps me. I’ve always tried to put my team first – that’s my biggest USP and that has always helped me.”
The two teams will now journey north to Chandigarh, where the second T20I will be played on Thursday, December 11, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
