IND vs SA 5th T20I: India Seals Win In The Series By 3-1

In a nail-biting encounter, India clinched a 3-1 series win vs South Africa with an impressive 30-run victory in the IND vs SA 5th T20I match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, as a scintillating batting display by Hardik Pandya, followed by a great bowling performance by Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah.

Indian Batting Strengths Are Explosive

After South Africa decided to bowl first, India started off with a speedy but disciplined approach. Though Lungi Ngidi started off with commendable line and length, it was only a matter of time before Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson swung into action, hitting boundaries all around, including those of Marco Jansen and Ottniel Baartman.

Abhishek’s blistering cameo got cut short in the sixth over, with Corbin Bosch sending back the catch behind, but the flow was in favour of Team India. In came Tilak Varma at number 3, but he did not feel the need to acknowledge the wicket before mingling with the boundaries.

Mid-Innings Drama and Turning Point

Moreover, IND-SUB lost some steam when George Linde got rid of Samson and Suryakumar Yadav was sent back to the pavilion rather early by Bosch. This brief halt was what preceded the most destructive part of IND-SUB 5th T20I.

One of the most notable incidents occurred earlier when a quick return catch attempt by Donovan Ferreira hit umpire Rohan Pandit, who had treatment but continued with the game.

Pandya-Varma Carnage Changes The Game

The turning point in the match came in the 105-run partnership between Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma. Pandya marked his entry with a magnificent six on the very first ball he faced, and he and Varma tore apart the South African bowling attack. Tilak Varma brought up his first fifty in the 15th over. He struck a 16-ball fifty, which is the second-fastest fifty for an Indian batsman.

Pandya fell in the final over, followed by the run-out of Varma, but Shivam Dube gave the finishing touches in the form of a four and a six that raised India’s total to 231/5.

South Africa’s Flying Start to the Chase

South Africa, chasing a challenging target, started with aggression. Quinton de Kock made meat of India’s inexperienced opening bowling, particularly Arshdeep Singh, and smashed a breathtaking 65 off 35 balls.

South Africa got going quickly to reach the power-play score of 67/0. They were able to keep the required pace under control with the addition of Dewald Brevis.

The turning moment in the IND versus SA 5th T20I came directly after the drinks break. Jasprit Bumrah outbowled De Kock in a cut caught and bowled delivery, which led to an apparent dramatic collapse.

South Africa went from 120/1 to 135/5, losing:

Dewald Brevis to Hardik Pandya.
Aiden Markram and Donovan Ferreira to Varun Chakaravarthy in back to back balls.

India Finish With Comprehensive Victory

Although David Miller and George Linde seemed to steady the innings slightly, wickets kept falling. Arshdeep Singh got rid of Miller, and Chakaravarthy got rid of Linde, which was his fourth wicket. Bumrah took the last wicket as South Africa could manage only 201/8 in hopes of attempting to match the target.