Ahmedabad, Dec 19 (UNI) Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma headlined a dominant Indian performance as the hosts sealed the South Africa tour of India, with a 30-run victory in the fifth and final T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium, clinching the series 3–1 amid a rousing atmosphere in Ahmedabad.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl, but India’s response was emphatic. Powered by composure at the top and explosive intent through the middle and death overs, India surged to a formidable 231 for five in their allotted 20 overs, a total that ultimately proved well beyond South Africa’s reach.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma provided early impetus with a brisk opening stand. Samson struck a fluent 37 off 22 balls, while Abhishek maintained the tempo with 34 off 21 deliveries, ensuring India capitalised on the powerplay. Their departure did little to slow the innings, as Tilak Varma took charge with a display of maturity and controlled aggression.
Batting at number three, Tilak crafted a superb 73 off 42 balls, studded with 10 fours and a six. He rotated strike effortlessly, pierced gaps with precision and punished loose deliveries with authority. Tilak’s awareness and selflessness were evident when he sacrificed his wicket to save Shivam Dube from a run-out, a moment that drew loud applause from the Ahmedabad crowd. His innings anchored India through the middle overs and laid the foundation for the late surge.
That surge arrived through Hardik, who produced a breathtaking assault in the final phase. The India skipper hammered 63 off just 25 balls, including five fours and five sixes, bringing up a 16-ball half-century, the second fastest by an Indian in T20Is. Hardik’s clean striking dismantled the South African attack, with the Varma-Pandya partnership yielding 39 runs in just 19 balls to propel India past the 230 mark.
Shivam Dube added a sharp cameo of 10 not out off three balls, while India’s depth remained evident with Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh yet to bat. South Africa’s bowlers found little respite, with Corbin Bosch claiming two wickets and Ottneil Baartman and George Linde one each, while Marco Jansen conceded 50 runs in his four overs.
Chasing 232, South Africa attempted to keep pace but were repeatedly checked by timely breakthroughs and disciplined bowling. India’s fielding intensity and smart captaincy ensured the visitors were forced into risky strokes as the required rate climbed steadily.
The match concluded in fitting fashion when Abhishek Sharma bowled a darted, full delivery close to off stump to Corbin Bosch, who could only jam the drive back towards the bowler. Abhishek parried it to long-off for a single, sealing India’s 30-run victory. As handshakes followed and “Vande Mataram” echoed around the Narendra Modi Stadium, India celebrated not just a match win but a series triumph, closing the contest 3–1.
South Africa finished on 201 for eight, their spirited effort falling short against a well-rounded Indian side. The final result underlined India’s dominance at home and capped the series with authority.
Tilak Varma’s poise and consistency, combined with Hardik Pandya’s explosive leadership and finishing power, emerged as the defining themes of the series finale. In front of a packed Ahmedabad crowd, India signed off the T20I leg with confidence, clarity and a performance that underlined their growing depth and balance in the shortest format.
Brief scores
India 231/5 in 20 overs
Tilak Varma 73 (42), Hardik Pandya 63 (25), Sanju Samson 37 (22), Abhishek Sharma 34 (21)
Corbin Bosch 2/44, Ottneil Baartman 1/39, George Linde 1/46
South Africa 201/8 in 20 overs
Quinton de Kock 65 (35), Dewald Brevis 31 (17), Corbin Bosch 17* (15)
Varun Chakaravarthy 4/53, Jasprit Bumrah 2/17, Arshdeep Singh 1/47
Result: India won by 30 runs
Toss: South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl
Series result: India won the series 3–1
