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NEW DELHI: India started their T20 series against South Africa on a dominating note, thrashing the visitors by 101 runs in the first T20I at Cuttack. Batting first, India posted a competitive 175 for six in 20 overs, with Hardik Pandya’s blistering 59* off just 28 balls, studded with six fours and four sixes, leading the charge. Tilak Varma (26 off 32) and Axar Patel (23 off 21) also made valuable contributions, while Jitesh Sharma remained unbeaten on 10 off five balls. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In reply, South Africa never looked in control and were bowled out for 74 in 12.3 overs. Dewald Brevis offered some resistance with 22 runs, but the Indian bowling unit, led by Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel, dismantled the opposition, each picking up two wickets. Hardik and Shivam Dube claimed one each. The all-round performance earned Hardik the Player of the Match award, as India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
However, more attention than the match itself has been drawn to former India cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra, who took playful pot shots at Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan. During South Africa’s innings, when the team were 28/2 in the fourth over, Bumrah bowled a good-length delivery on the last ball after Aiden Markram had smashed a six. Commentating at the time, Chopra said, “Bumrah ko chhakka maarna itna aasaan nahi hota. Kabhi lag jaaye to kuch log documentary bana lete hain [It’s not so easy to hit Bumrah for a six. If someone manages to do it once, some people even make a documentary on it].” Watch the video hereThe remark, delivered without naming anyone, clearly referenced Sahibzada Farhan, who had hit Bumrah for sixes during the Asia Cup T20 2025. Farhan had even shared a clip of a documentary made on his innings after Pakistan lost to India in the final, making him a target for Chopra’s humorous dig.The commentary clip has gone viral, with fans praising Chopra’s wit. The second T20I between India and South Africa will be played on December 11 in Mullanpur.
