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Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya delivered a stellar performance with both bat and ball in the first T20I against South Africa at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, but narrowly missed achieving a rare double milestone. Blazing Batting Performance After South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl first, India’s top order struggled, losing 3 wickets for 48 runs. Pandya then took charge, scoring a quickfire 59* off 28 balls, including 6 fours and 4 sixes, at an astonishing strike rate of 210.71. This explosive innings saw Hardik become the fourth Indian to hit 100 T20I sixes, joining elite company alongside Rohit Sharma (205), Suryakumar Yadav (155), and Virat Kohli (124). Bowling Feat Just Short of Record Pandya also shone with the ball, claiming 1 wicket, brin...

The first T20I of the five-match series between India and South Africa, played at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, ended in utter domination by Team India, who defeated the Proteas by a massive 101 runs. South Africa’s batting line-up crumbled, registering their lowest ever T20 total, leaving fans and critics stunned. South Africa’s Lowest T20 Totals India set a challenging target of 176, scoring 175/6 in 20 overs. In response, South Africa was bowled out for just 74 runs in 12.3 overs, marking the team’s lowest T20 score. Here is a look at South Africa’s five smallest T20 totals: 74 vs India, Cuttack 2025 – All-out in 12.3 overs, handing India a 101-run victory. 87 vs India, Rajkot 2022 – Bowled out in 16.5 overs, match lost to India. 89 vs Australia, Johannesburg 2020 – Crashed...

Team India began their five-match T20 series against South Africa in spectacular fashion, registering a massive 101-run victory in the first encounter to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Exceptional bowling performances kept the Proteas under 100, securing a dominant win for the reigning champions. Match Overview South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to field first. India posted 175/6 in 20 overs, led by an outstanding innings from Hardik Pandya. In response, South Africa crumbled to 74 all out in just 12.3 overs, handing India a comprehensive 101-run triumph. Hardik Pandya Steals the Show Pandya was the standout performer, excelling with both bat and ball. His explosive 59 runs off 28 balls, featuring 6 fours and 4 sixes, anchored India’s innings while no ot...

New Delhi: The IPL 2026 mini-auction is set for 16 December, where bids will be placed on 350 shortlisted players from a pool of 1,355 registered participants. Among them, one name is attracting considerable attention — Nikhil Chaudhary, an all-rounder who has been playing domestic cricket in Australia but has registered for the IPL auction as an Indian player. From Australia to IPL:29-year-old Nikhil Chaudhary has been a notable performer in Australian domestic cricket, including the Big Bash League (BBL). Despite playing abroad, he has entered the IPL auction as an Indian uncapped player. Details on how he qualifies for this status have not been officially clarified by either the BCCI or Chaudhary himself. His last appearance in Australian domestic cricket was on 7 December. Player...

Cuttack: Indian T20 Vice-Captain Shubman Gill is set to make his return to international cricket as India takes on South Africa in the first match of the five-game T20 series at Barabati Stadium today, Tuesday, 9 December. Gill, who sustained a neck injury during the Kolkata Test against South Africa, missed the subsequent Guwahati Test and the three-match ODI series. After a period of rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, he cleared fitness tests and regained full match readiness. Fitness and Readiness ConfirmedThe BCCI CoE sports science team declared Gill fully fit, paving the way for his inclusion in the T20 squad. Head Coach Gautam Gambhir has also confirmed that Gill is completely ready and eager to play, putting an end to speculation about whether...

Brisbane: Australia has received a major setback ahead of the third Test against England in the Ashes series. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will miss the remaining three matches of the five-Test series due to hamstring and ankle injuries. However, captain Pat Cummins is set to return after recovering from a back issue. The third Test begins on 17 December at Adelaide, and Australia currently leads the series 2-0. Hazlewood had already missed the first two Tests in Perth and Brisbane, and hopes of his mid-series return have now been dashed. Australia’s coach, Andrew McDonald, confirmed that Hazlewood will now focus on preparing for the T20 World Cup early next year. “Hazlewood will miss the rest of the Ashes, but we are focusing on his World Cup preparation, which is crucial for us,” McD...

Wasim Akram Trolls IPL, Calls PSL the Top League; Fans Hit BackCurated by: Navbharat Times | 9 Dec 2025 New Delhi: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, one of the few Pakistani cricketers widely popular in India, recently sparked controversy after comments favoring the Pakistan Super League (PSL) over the Indian Premier League (IPL). Akram, who has been associated with the IPL in multiple roles – first as a coach and later as a commentator – faced heavy trolling from fans on social media for his remarks. Akram Favors PSLDuring a PSL promotional event in Pakistan, Akram praised the league’s format, describing it as more player-friendly. While he didn’t directly mention the IPL, his comparison implied criticism. Akram said, “Players grow older, retire, and the league never seems to end...

New Delhi: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has once again taken aim at India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, continuing the long-standing rivalry between the two cricketing stars. Known for their on-field clashes during their playing careers, both Afridi and Gambhir have often criticized each other via social media and interviews since retiring from professional cricket. Backing Rohit and ViratIn a recent interview, Afridi praised India’s batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli while commenting on Gambhir’s coaching. Afridi said, “It is true that Rohit and Virat are the backbone of India’s batting lineup. Judging by their performance in the recent ODI series, one can confidently say that they can continue playing until the 2027 World Cup. These star players must be man...

New Delhi: The group stage of India’s premier T20 tournament, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26, has concluded, and the eight teams advancing to the next stage have been finalized. Unlike previous editions, this year’s tournament will not feature quarterfinals or semifinals. Instead, a Super League stage has been introduced, starting from 12 December. Teams Advancing to Super League StageThe eight teams progressing to the Super League stage are Mumbai, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Jharkhand. These teams have been divided into two groups, with each team playing one match against every other team in its group, giving them three matches each. The top team from each group will clash in the final to decide the champion. Super League G...

New Delhi: Indian captain Shubman Gill is all set to return to action after recovering from a neck injury sustained during the first Test against South Africa. The injury kept him out for nearly three weeks, but he is now ready to make his comeback in the upcoming T20 series, starting with the first match at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. Irfan Pathan’s Take on GillFormer Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has highlighted this series as a crucial opportunity for Gill to cement his place in India’s T20 side. Speaking on GeoStar, Pathan said:"Shubman Gill must establish himself in the top order of India’s T20 team. Players who can perform across formats are highly valued. His IPL record shows how well he can play. This five-match series gives him ample opportunity to prove himself. He is returni...