Hardik Pandya made a memorable comeback to competitive cricket with an unbeaten half-century and then took a key wicket as India thrashed South Africa by 101 runs in the opening match of the five-match T20I series in Cuttack on Tuesday night (December 9).

The victory helped India take a 1-0 lead in the rubber and it also pushed South Africa to their lowest-ever T20I total. Their previous lowest was also against India – 87 all out in Rajkot in 2022.

India post 175/6

India had been pushed onto the back foot after SA asked them to bat first on a tacky red-soil surface, but Pandya’s commanding 59 not out off 28 balls rescued them from early turbulence. India posted a competitive 175/6.

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On a pitch that demanded discipline, South Africa s

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