Ahmedabad, Dec 19 (UNI) In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, India’s Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma turned the 5th T20I against South Africa into a showcase of fearless batting at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
After South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl, the Proteas were immediately under pressure as India’s young and aggressive lineup laid the foundation for a mammoth total of 231 for 5 in their 20 overs.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma provided India with a strong start. Samson played a quick 37 off 22 balls, while Abhishek contributed 34 off 21 deliveries, giving India a solid platform.
Samson’s innings featured crisp drives and clever placement, and Abhishek’s strokeplay helped maintain a rapid scoring rate early on. However, it was the Varma-Pandya duo that transformed the innings into an electrifying spectacle.
Tilak Varma, at number three, played a brilliant 73 off 42 balls, striking 10 fours and a six with remarkable timing and poise.
Varma’s innings combined audacity with intelligence; he maneuvered the field effortlessly, exploited gaps, and dispatched loose deliveries over the boundary.
One dramatic moment saw Varma sacrificing his wicket to save Shivam Dube in a run-out, showing maturity beyond his years. His ability to balance risk and aggression set the stage for India’s late surge.
Hardik Pandya, coming in after Varma, dominated the latter half of the innings. In just 25 balls, he scored 63 runs with five sixes and five fours, registering a 16-ball fifty—the second fastest for India in T20Is after Yuvraj Singh.
Pandya’s timing, placement, and sheer power left the South African bowlers reeling. He punished every width and short ball, turning the death overs into a relentless assault. The partnership between Varma and Pandya yielded 39 runs in just 19 balls, effectively taking India’s score past the 230-mark and putting the home team in a commanding position.
South Africa’s bowlers struggled to contain the duo. Corbin Bosch picked up two wickets, while Ottneil Baartman and George Linde claimed one each. Marco Jansen conceded 50 runs in his four overs, unable to halt the onslaught. Despite some breakthroughs, the innings was defined by the fearless and aggressive batting of Varma and Pandya.
Shivam Dube added a quick cameo of 10 not out off 3 balls at the end, with Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh yet to bat, leaving South Africa with a daunting task in the run chase.
India’s innings was marked by aggressive strokeplay, calculated risk-taking, and moments of brilliance.
Varma’s composure and skill combined with Pandya’s explosive power made the difference, transforming what could have been a competitive total into a commanding one.
The Ahmedabad fans erupted with every boundary, particularly during Pandya’s onslaught in the final overs, making it clear that India was finishing the series with authority.
As the match continues, India looks set to leverage the momentum provided by Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma to seal a memorable series win. Their performance was a masterclass in timing, power, and cricketing audacity, demonstrating why both are central to India’s plans in the T20 format.
Hardik, Varma fire India to 231-5 against South Africa
