ভারতের বোলিং টর্নেডোয় ধরাশায়ী প্রোটিয়া দুর্গ

Despite early setbacks with Shubman Gill (4) and Suryakumar Yadav (12) falling cheaply, India recovered through key contributions from Tilak Varma (26), Axar Patel (23), and Pandya, whose innings proved decisive. Shivam Dube (11) and Jitesh Sharma (10*) provided valuable support in the final overs, helping India set a challenging target.

In response, South Africa’s batting lineup crumbled completely, being bowled out for just 74 in 12.3 overs—marking their lowest-ever T20I total. Arshdeep Singh (2/14), Jasprit Bumrah (2/17), Varun Chakravarthy (2/19), Axar Patel (2/7), Hardik Pandya (1/16), and Shivam Dube (1/1) shared the wickets, while Quinton de Kock was dismissed for a duck in the first over, setting the tone for the Proteas’ collapse.

The match also saw Jasprit Bumrah reach a major milestone, claiming his 100th T20I wicket and becoming the first Indian bowler to take at least 100 international wickets across all three formats.

This dominant win gives Suryakumar Yadav-led India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The second T20I will also be played at Cuttack, giving the hosts an excellent start in the contest.

An emphatic win in the #INDvSA T20I series opener #TeamIndia register a 1⃣0⃣1⃣-run victory in Cuttack to go 1⃣-0⃣ up

Scorecard https://t.co/tiemfwcNPh@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/mw3oxC5AHw

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 9, 2025

Shubman Gill, returning from injury, is set to open alongside Abhishek Sharma. Though Sanju Samson prefers opening, Gill is being preferred for his anchoring ability. Abhishek will take on the aggressive role. Captain and world No. 1 T20 batter Suryakumar Yadav will bat at his favorite No. 3 position. Tilak Varma is expected to be the priority at No. 4, adding left-handed balance to the lineup.

As wicketkeeper, Jitesh Sharma is currently ahead of Sanju. The reason is simple — Jitesh is explosive from ball one and is a specialist finisher, a role in which India lacks options. If Sanju plays, he would need to come down the order, which is not his natural position.

Hardik Pandya’s Return Strengthens Team Balance

Hardik Pandya’s comeback provides the perfect balance — destructive batting at No. 5 and four overs of medium-fast bowling. After him comes the reliable all-rounder Axar Patel.

In pace bowling, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the attack. Arshdeep Singh’s experience helps his case, but young Harshit Rana’s speed and aggression make him a strong contender. With Hardik available as an additional pacer, Harshit could comfortably bowl all four overs if selected.

In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav will partner with mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, a combination that could trouble South Africa’s middle order.

India’s Probable XI :

Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, (Wicketkeeper), Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh / Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah

Match Details

Toss Time: 6:30 PM (IST)

Match Start: 7:00 PM (IST)

Live Telecast: Star Sports Network

Live Streaming: JioCinema / Hotstar app & website

কুলদীপ ঝলকে থমকাল দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকা! পন্থের নেতৃত্বে ঘুরে দাঁড়াল ভারত

South Africa finished the day at 247/6. Just as they were approaching 250, India’s bowlers tightened the screws and slowed the Proteas’ progress. Tristan Stubbs top-scored with 49, while skipper Temba Bavuma contributed 41.

After the Eden Gardens defeat, India made two changes due to injuries: Shubman Gill and Axar Patel were ruled out. Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy came into the side. Most notably, Rishabh Pant made his debut as India’s Test captain.

In the morning session, some early swing troubled Markram and Rickelton as they faced Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Markram survived a dropped catch but was eventually bowled by Bumrah. India’s second breakthrough came just before lunch—Kuldeep dismissed Rickelton, with captain Pant taking a sharp catch behind the stumps.

However, young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy struggled, often losing his line and length, which piled additional pressure on Pant and the bowlers. Meanwhile, Stubbs and Bavuma settled in and built a steady partnership. Ravindra Jadeja was introduced late, but the move paid off—Yashasvi Jaiswal pouched a brilliant diving catch to remove Bavuma.

Kuldeep Yadav struck again to dismiss Stubbs for 49, with KL Rahul safely taking the catch at slip. Siraj then removed Tony de Zorzi (28) with the new ball just before bad light, as the batter edged to Pant.

At stumps, Senuran Muthusamy and Kyle Verreynne remained unbeaten at the crease.

চোট কাটিয়ে ফিরেলেন এই দুই তারকা, আগকরের সঙ্গে বিতর্কে জড়িয়ে নেই শামি!

Rishabh Returns, Akashdeep Gets Opportunity

After getting injured in the fourth Test of the England tour, Rishabh Pant returns to the Indian team after 95 days. Though he failed in the first innings, he scored 90 runs in the second innings, proving his fitness and batting ability. In light of this, selectors have brought him back for the South Africa series. Compared to the West Indies series, there has been only one change: Akashdeep replaces Prasidh Krishna, while Narayan Jagadeesan has been dropped.

Shami and Easwaran’s Uncertain Future

Despite not taking wickets against Tripura in the Ranji Trophy, Shami had picked up 15 wickets in the first two matches. Still, the national selectors have not considered him. Ajit Agarkar and others’ approach suggests that Shami may not get opportunities even at home, and he also seems unlikely to be included in the white-ball setup.

Abhimanyu Easwaran has also not been included in the Indian Test squad. With Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul opening, and Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel in the middle order, the selectors have not looked his way. The team composition includes three spinner-allrounders, one pace-allrounder, one specialist spinner, and three specialist pacers, ensuring a balanced bowling attack.

Team Announcement:

Presenting #TeamIndia‘s squad for the Test series against South Africa #INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Ca2ccy4KK5

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 5, 2025

Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akashdeep.

Series Schedule:

1st Test: 14 November, Eden Gardens, Kolkata

2nd Test: 22 November, Guwahati

The announcement has generated excitement among cricket fans in India, especially with Rishabh Pant’s comeback and Akashdeep’s inclusion, which adds a new dimension to India’s middle order and bowling attack. However, the absence of Shami and Easwaran is being seen as a challenge for the team.