The Indian cricket team ended the year 2025 on a high note by winning the final T20 match against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, clinching the five-match series 3-1.
South Africa had an impressive tour of India overall. The Proteas created history by defeating India in the two-match Test series and also put up a strong fight in the ODI series, although they failed to win it. In the T20 series, South Africa entered the final match with the only hope of leveling the series, but India denied them that opportunity with a commanding performance on Friday.
India Post Massive Total on the Back of Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya
Batting first after losing the toss, India piled up a huge total of 231 for 5 in 20 overs, powered by explosive innings from Tilak Varma (73) and Hardik Pandya (63).
South Africa looked well on course during the chase, thanks to a blistering knock from Quinton de Kock, but the tide turned dramatically after the drinks break as Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy delivered a match-winning bowling spell.
South Africa eventually fell short, managing 201 for 8, losing the match by 30 runs.
South Africa’s Explosive Start
Chasing 232, South Africa got off to a flying start as Quinton de Kock attacked Arshdeep Singh right from the first over. The Proteas raced to 67 without loss in the powerplay, with de Kock scoring freely while Reeza Hendricks struggled for timing.
Varun Chakravarthy provided the breakthrough in the seventh over, dismissing Hendricks for 13 off 12 balls.
De Kock then added momentum alongside Dewald Brevis, bringing up his half-century as South Africa reached 117 for 1 at the halfway mark, firmly in control of the chase.
Bumrah and Varun Turn the Match Around
The game changed completely after the drinks break. In the 11th over, Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Quinton de Kock, who scored a brilliant 65 off 35 balls, including nine fours and three sixes.
In the very next over, Hardik Pandya removed Dewald Brevis for 31, tightening India’s grip on the match.
Varun Chakravarthy then produced a decisive spell, taking two wickets in two consecutive balls in the 13th over. He dismissed Aiden Markram (6) and Donovan Ferreira, leaving South Africa in deep trouble.
Arshdeep Singh followed up by removing David Miller (18) in the 15th over. Varun later dismissed George Linde, and a sharp piece of wicketkeeping by Sanju Samson led to the run-out of Marco Jansen, sealing India’s victory.
Varun Chakravarthy finished with four wickets, while Bumrah claimed two scalps in a crucial bowling performance.
Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma Create Mayhem With the Bat
Earlier, India’s innings was rescued and elevated by the destructive partnership between Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya.
After early wickets slowed India down to 115 runs in 12.1 overs, Hardik Pandya walked in and immediately announced his intent by hitting his first ball for a six. The duo smashed 55 runs in just 17 balls, turning the match on its head.
Hardik Pandya smashed a 50 off just 16 balls, the second-fastest half-century in T20I history, surpassing Abhishek Sharma’s previous record. Tilak Varma complemented him brilliantly, scoring 73 runs off 42 balls, his second half-century of the series.
Hardik hit five sixes and five fours in 25 balls, while Tilak struck 10 boundaries and one six, thrilling the packed Ahmedabad crowd.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s Poor Form Continues
India captain Suryakumar Yadav once again failed to make an impact, scoring just 5 runs. The former world No.1 batter has endured a lean run, failing to score a single T20I half-century in 21 matches this year, averaging just 14.20.
In this series, his scores read: 12, 5, 12, 5, raising concerns ahead of upcoming international assignments.
Sanju Samson Opens in Gill’s Absence
With Shubman Gill sidelined due to injury, Sanju Samson was finally given an opportunity in the final match. Opening alongside Abhishek Sharma, Samson looked fluent and aggressive during the powerplay.
The duo added 63 runs for the first wicket, before Abhishek was dismissed for 37. Samson later fell to George Linde, ending a promising start.
Final Result Summary:
- India: 231/5 (20 overs)
- South Africa: 201/8 (20 overs)
- India won by 30 runs
- India won series 3-1
India’s balanced performance with both bat and ball ensured a strong finish to the year, reinforcing their dominance in white-ball cricket.
