India beat South Africa by a whopping margin of 101 runs in the first T20I of the series at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9. The home team batted first and put up a gigantic total of 175-5 on the board. It happened mostly due to all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 59, which came off just 28 deliveries. The Baroda man had missed the last two months of international cricket due to injury. So, this time, he made a strong statement on his comeback.
After losing openers Abhishek Sharma (17) and Shubman Gill (4) early, India seemed to be in some trouble. However, Tilak Varma (28) guided the team to a kind of safety before Axar Patel (23) and Pandya took over. The latter took particular exception to balls pitched up, hitting six boundaries and four sixes during his stay at the crease. Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma’s 5-ball 10 not out helped India finish on a high.
In reply, South Africa appeared to be batting on another surface altogether. They lost the experienced Quinton de Kock on the second ball of the innings, and from there, the flow just did not stop. The visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals, often to ordinary shots. Only Dewald Brevis (22) offered some resistance. Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy and Patel picked up a couple of wickets apiece to bowl the Proteas out for a mere 74 in just 12.3 overs. This handed India a huge victory.
2nd T20I Prediction And Preview – India vs South Africa (11.12.2025)
India host South Africa in the second T20I of the ongoing series between the two teams at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on Thursday, December 11. Incidentally, this will be the first international match hosted by this venue. India are on a high after defeating their opponents in the first game of the series and taking a 1-0 lead. However, the Proteas are no minnows, and can come back strongly, especially in this format of the sport.
South Africa will rely on the services of opener-wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who knows the conditions of India like the back of his hand. The southpaw has spent innumerable years playing in the Indian Premier League. He has the experience of most conditions in this country. In the bowling department, most of the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, who can all hit the deck hard and get the ball to move around.
For India, Shubman Gill’s return from a stiff neck sparks good news, but he did not score too much (4) in the first game. The Men in Blue will hope that he manages to string together good partnerships with partner Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order, especially since this game will be played at their home venue. Captain Suryakumar Yadav has moulded the team according to his philosophy. He has given everyone the freedom to express their potential in the best way possible.
Predicted Teams
IND: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.
SA: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje.
Key Players
Jasprit Bumrah (IND): Jasprit Bumrah is quite possibly the best fast bowler in white ball cricket in the world. He is known for his ability to get inswingers to slant in naturally, as well as his willingness to bowl yorkers as and when needed. The fast bowler also has a natural tendency to go for bouncers when the time seems right, and he can be a match-winner for the Indians if he gets used at the right moments.
Keshav Maharaj (SA): It is rare that a spinner gets singled out for praise and attention in T20 cricket, which is predominantly a batter’s game. However, Keshav Maharaj is made of sterner stuff. The experienced left-arm spinner knows which areas to bowl in when he is put under pressure, and has a very good skillset to go with a calm and composed demeanour. Although he conceded 12.50 runs per over in Cuttack, one can expect him to mount a quick comeback.
Match Prediction
India are the defending world champions in T20 cricket, and have one foot on the pedal thanks to having taken the lead. The home team have a well-balanced outfit, with the right mix of seamers and spinners in their bowling department, to go with sloggers and anchors in the batting unit. Even their fielding has been top-notch. We expect India to win this game and put the visiting South Africans under further pressure.
