IND vs SA 5th T20I: Tilak, Hardik, Varun star as India wraps up series

By Admin

20 Dec, 2025

Introduction
South Africa’s tour of India may have begun with memorable Test victories, but the white-ball leg ended firmly in the hosts’ favour. In the fifth and final T20I on Friday, India delivered a dominant all-round performance to seal a 30-run victory and clinch the series 3-1, sending a strong message ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup.

India’s strong total
Asked to bat first, India produced a commanding batting display to post 231 for five. The innings was built on fearless intent, quick running between the wickets, and clean striking that kept the South African bowlers under constant pressure.

Breezy opening stand
Sanju Samson, drafted in for the injured Shubman Gill, made an immediate impact. His fluent 37 off 22 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, set the tone. Abhishek Sharma complemented him perfectly with a lively 34 off 21 balls. The PowerPlay was packed with aerial shots and high tempo, giving India early momentum and added fluency at the top.

Hardik-Tilak partnership
There was a brief slowdown when Suryakumar Yadav struggled again, but order was restored when Hardik Pandya walked in at No. 5. From the very first ball, which he launched for a six, Hardik made his intentions clear. Batting with Tilak Varma, he powered India forward in a stunning 105-run fourth-wicket partnership that came off just 44 balls.

Tilak was nearly Hardik’s equal in intent, scoring a classy 73 off 42 deliveries with 10 fours and a six. Hardik exemplified the perfect T20 approach with a blazing 63 off 25 balls, smashing five fours and five sixes to take India well beyond the 200-run mark.

A memorable turnaround
By the time Hardik holed out in the final over, the crowd rose in unison to applaud him. It marked a remarkable turnaround at the same venue where he had faced a hostile reception earlier in IPL 2024 after switching franchises. This time, he left the field to thunderous appreciation.

South Africa’s chase
Chasing 232, South Africa began positively. Quinton de Kock played a superb knock of 65 off 35 balls, keeping the visitors in the hunt. At 118 for one midway through the chase, South Africa looked capable of pushing India deep.

Big breakthroughs
As he has done countless times, Jasprit Bumrah delivered when India needed it most. He deceived de Kock with a slower delivery that was chipped back to the bowler. Hardik followed up by removing Dewald Brevis with a well-directed slower bouncer.

The decisive moment came in the 13th over when Varun Chakravarthy struck twice, trapping Aiden Markram in front and cleaning up Donovan Ferreira. In the space of three overs, South Africa collapsed to 135 for five. Bumrah then bowled a miserly 17th over, conceding just two runs, effectively shutting the door on any comeback.

Clinical finish
Varun Chakravarthy finished with impressive figures of 4 for 53, while India’s disciplined bowling ensured South Africa never recovered from the middle-overs collapse. The visitors eventually fell 30 runs short, handing India a comprehensive victory.

Looking ahead
With the series wrapped up 3-1, India will take confidence from the performances of Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, and the bowling unit. The upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand now becomes crucial, offering the skipper a final opportunity to find rhythm and combinations ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup.