India delivered a dominant performance in Cuttack, defeating South Africa by a massive 101-run margin in the first T20 International (T20I). The emphatic win not only gave India a 1-0 series lead but also showcased their intent ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, which they will co-host with Sri Lanka.
Despite their long-standing struggle with tosses—having recently won an ODI toss after nearly two years—India showed once again that they do not rely on luck. Even after losing the toss in this match, the team displayed complete control with both bat and ball.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh praised the side’s attitude and focus, stressing that the team’s mindset is what sets them apart. According to him, India are no longer bothered by toss results and are instead committed to achieving favorable outcomes through sheer performance.
Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel, “If Hardik Pandya hadn’t scored that knock, then there wouldn’t have been runs for India to defend. But in the end, it didn’t make much of a difference, because where is 175 and where is 74? It is huge to win a T20 game by 101 runs, especially in conditions where batting gets easier with dew. This is the mindset of Team India—they don’t care about the toss, only the result.”
Hardik Pandya’s Blazing Knock Sets Up India’s Victory
Hardik Pandya made a strong comeback to the T20I setup, smashing an unbeaten 59 off just 28 balls. His explosive batting lifted India to a competitive total of 175, ensuring the hosts had enough runs to defend even in dew-friendly conditions.
Bowlers Seal the Match with a Ruthless Attack
India’s bowlers produced a flawless performance, skittling South Africa out inside just 13 overs. Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Axar Patel each picked up two wickets, dismantling the Proteas batting lineup with precision and discipline.
South Africa will now look to regroup quickly as they head into the second T20I in Mullanpur on December 11 (Thursday), hoping to keep the series alive.
