Hardik, bowlers star for India

FIRST T20I! | Hosts beat South Africa by 101 runs after Pandya’s pyrotechnics

- PTI

All-rounder Hardik Pandya’s rearguard heroics and top-class bowling from the pacers and spinners helped India overwhelm South Africa by 101 runs in the first T20I, here on Tuesday.

Chasing a competitive 176 for victory, the Proteas were rattled by Jasprit Bumrah, (2/17) Arshdeep Singh (2/14), Axar Patel (2/7) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/19) as they capitulated for just 74 in 12.3 overs.

Earlier, ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya marked his return to competitive cricket with a blistering half-century that helped India recover from some early blows to post a healthy 175/6.

Coming back after 74 days following a left quadricep injury that forced him out of the Asia Cup, Pandya walked in at No. 6 and immediately changed the tempo of the match.