IND vs SA 1st T20I: Hardik Pandya’s Unbeaten 59, Ruthless Bowlers Crush South Africa For Record-Low 74 In Cuttack

India vs South Africa 1st T20I 2025 • Barabati Stadium, Cuttack • India win by 101 runs • South Africa’s lowest-ever T20I total

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India produced a 101-run demolition of South Africa in the 1st T20I at Cuttack, as Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 59 off 28 balls powered the hosts to 175/6 before the bowlers bundled out the visitors for a record-low 74 in 12.3 overs, their lowest total in T20I history[web:127][web:129][web:131][web:134].

Opting to bat on a tacky red-soil surface at the Barabati Stadium, India recovered from an early collapse to post a competitive 175/6 in 20 overs, built around a stunning counter-attacking half-century from stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya (59* off 28, 6 fours, 4 sixes)[web:128][web:129][web:131]. In reply, South Africa’s chase never left the dressing room, as they were routed for 74 all out in 12.3 overs, surrendering by 101 runs and handing India a 1–0 lead in the five-match T20I series[web:127][web:131][web:134][web:135].

The win also featured a milestone for pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who reached 100 T20I wickets, while left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh, left-arm spinner Axar Patel, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, and Pandya himself shared the spoils in a ruthless bowling display that exposed South Africa’s long-standing issues against quality pace-spin combinations[web:127][web:131][web:137][web:139].

India’s Innings: Early Wobble, Hardik Pandya Rescue Act

🔹 Top Order Struggles On A Gripping Pitch

• South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl, banking on early movement and variable bounce[web:127][web:138][web:140].
• India’s new-look top order faltered as Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav fell cheaply, while Tilak Varma’s scratchy 26 off 32 highlighted how difficult stroke-making was in the middle overs[web:128][web:134].
• At one stage, India were reeling with three wickets down inside the powerplay and further pressure in the middle overs, with South Africa’s seamers, especially Lungi Ngidi (3/31), exploiting the conditions superbly[web:128][web:129][web:134].

🔥 Hardik Pandya’s Unbeaten 59* – High-Class Counterattack

• Walking in under pressure, Pandya engineered a brilliant counter-attack, scoring 59* off just 28 balls, with 4 sixes and 4–6 fours (reports vary between 4–6 boundaries), shifting momentum decisively in India’s favour[web:128][web:129][web:131][web:134].
• He was particularly brutal at the death, taking apart Lutho Sipamla and Anrich Nortje, including a sequence of six and four in the 19th over and a ramped six to reach his fifty in 25 balls[web:127][web:131][web:141].
• Pandya’s late burst meant India smashed 71 runs in the last six overs, transforming a potentially below-par total into a highly competitive 175/6 on a tough surface[web:131][web:134][web:139].

📝 India’s Key Batting Scores (1st T20I, Cuttack)

• Hardik Pandya: 59* (28) – 4x4, 4x6 – Player of the Match contender[web:128][web:131][web:134].
• Tilak Varma: 26 (32) – anchoring knock on a gripping pitch[web:128][web:134].
• Support Cast: Lower middle order contributed cameos to keep one end stable as Pandya exploded at the other[web:128][web:139].
• Team Total: India 175/6 in 20 overs (RR 8.75)[web:127][web:135][web:141].

South Africa’s Collapse: Lowest-Ever T20I Total – 74 All Out

💥 New Low: Proteas Shot Out For 74

• Chasing 176, South Africa imploded to 74 all out in 12.3 overs, registering their lowest-ever total in T20I cricket, breaking their previous unwanted record[web:127][web:131][web:134][web:142].
• Openers and top order failed to adapt, with early wickets triggering a procession where no batter could construct a stabilising partnership; Dewald Brevis (22) and Tristan Stubbs (14) were the only players to reach double figures[web:134][web:138].
• The chase never gained traction as India’s bowlers extracted movement and grip under lights, forcing South African batters into mistimed shots and rash strokes[web:131][web:137][web:139].

🎯 Indian Bowling: Seam, Spin & Precision

• Arshdeep Singh struck early, removing Quinton de Kock for a duck and later dismissing Tristan Stubbs, finishing with figures around 2/14, setting the tone for the collapse[web:134][web:137].
• Jasprit Bumrah was miserly and incisive, crossing the landmark of 100 T20I wickets during the game, underlining his status as India’s death-overs specialist[web:127][web:131][web:139].
• Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy stifled the middle order with tight lines, both picking up crucial wickets, while Pandya chipped in with the big scalp of David Miller[web:131][web:134][web:137].
• South Africa were unable to cope as wickets fell in clusters, with India’s attack operating like a well-oiled unit rather than relying on individual brilliance alone[web:131][web:137][web:143].

📊 Brief Scorecard Snapshot

• India: 175/6 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 59*, Tilak Varma 26; Lungi Ngidi 3/31, Lutho Sipamla 2/38)[web:127][web:129][web:134][web:141].
• South Africa: 74 all out in 12.3 overs (Dewald Brevis 22, Tristan Stubbs 14; Axar Patel 2/7, Arshdeep Singh 2/14, others shared)[web:134][web:135].
• Result: India won by 101 runs, leading the 5-match series 1–0[web:127][web:131][web:134].

Series Context & Records: Why This Win Matters

Record Watch & Milestones

• South Africa’s lowest T20I total: The 74 all out is now officially the Proteas’ lowest score in T20Is, adding to a worrying trend of big collapses in ICC events and bilateral series[web:127][web:131][web:134][web:142].
• Bumrah’s 100 T20I wickets: Jasprit Bumrah entering the 100-wicket club in T20Is is a landmark for Indian fast bowling in the shortest format[web:127][web:131][web:139].
• Hardik’s comeback statement: Pandya’s 59* followed a domestic return (notably a 77* in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy), confirming his fitness and form ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup cycle[web:131][web:139][web:145].

Impact On India’s T20 Roadmap

• India are using this home series as a testing ground for combinations before major ICC events, with youth (Abhishek, Tilak, Brevis-type players) mixed with experienced cores like Pandya and Bumrah[web:129][web:137][web:143].
• The emphatic nature of the win continues India’s strong white-ball run since their 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, reinforcing the bench strength narrative[web:138][web:139].

Exam Angle: Sports Current Affairs (Banking, SSC, UPSC)

One-Liner Points For GK Notes

• India defeated South Africa by 101 runs in the 1st T20I at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, December 2025[web:127][web:134][web:135].
• Hardik Pandya scored an unbeaten 59 off 28 balls and led India’s recovery with aggressive finishing[web:128][web:129][web:131].
• South Africa were bowled out for 74, their lowest-ever T20I total[web:127][web:131][web:142].
• Jasprit Bumrah completed 100 wickets in T20 Internationals during this match[web:127][web:131][web:139].
• Series status after the match: India lead the 5-match T20I series 1–0[web:127][web:134][web:138].

Possible MCQs

• In the IND vs SA 1st T20I 2025 at Cuttack, South Africa were bowled out for: (A) 94 (B) 84 (C) 74 (D) 64
• Who scored an unbeaten 59* for India in the 1st T20I vs South Africa 2025? (A) Suryakumar Yadav (B) Shubman Gill (C) Hardik Pandya (D) Tilak Varma
• Jasprit Bumrah reached which landmark in the 1st T20I vs South Africa 2025? (A) 50 T20I wickets (B) 75 T20I wickets (C) 100 T20I wickets (D) 150 T20I wickets

— End of Report —

📊 IND vs SA 1st T20I Quick Facts

• Venue: Barabati Stadium, Cuttack[web:129][web:138].
• Date: 8–9 December 2025 (night match)[web:127][web:131].
• Toss: South Africa won, chose to bowl[web:138].
• India: 175/6 (20 overs)[web:127][web:134][web:135].
• South Africa: 74 all out (12.3 overs) – lowest T20I total[web:127][web:131][web:142].
• Result: India won by 101 runs[web:127][web:134].
• Top Scorer (IND): Hardik Pandya 59*[web:128][web:129][web:131].
• Best Bowler (SA): Lungi Ngidi 3/31[web:128][web:134].
• Key Record: Jasprit Bumrah – 100th T20I wicket[web:127][web:131][web:139].

Status: India lead T20I series 1–0 after record-breaking win.

Sources:

• NDTV Sports, Hindustan Times, Indian Express, Times of India, Cricbuzz, News18, ESPNcricinfo, Olympics.com match report[web:127][web:128][web:129][web:130][web:131][web:134][web:135][web:139][web:140][web:141][web:143].
• International coverage on South Africa’s lowest T20I total and Hardik Pandya’s comeback[web:142][web:145].

Disclaimer: This article is prepared for news awareness and exam preparation, based on verified match reports and scorecards available up to December 10, 2025. All statistics are subject to official updates by cricket boards and governing bodies.