IND Win By 30 Runs | India vs South Africa Highlights of 5th T20I 2025: Varun Chakaravarthy, Hardik Pandya Power India to Series Victory

That's It! South Africa fight well but remain short of their target by 30 runs. A comprehensive victory for India and with it, India secure a 3-1 series victory against South Africa. Suryakumar Yadav-led side produced a sensational performance with the bat riding on the half-centuries of Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma and posted a daunting total of 231/5 on the board. Chasing it, South Africa started well but lost the plot in the middle in front of Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakaravarthy. It will be a confidence-boosting win for Men in Blue. 

Out! David Miller and George Linde departs in successive overs. Miller tried to whack a length delivery from Arshdeep Singh over mid-wicket and got a top-edge which went nowhere. Linde was trying to express himself, but got foxed by Varun and got his off-stump uprooted. India are looking at a victory here. Miller c Samson b Arshdeep Singh 18(14) and Linde b Varun Chakaravarthy 16(8).

Out! Cleaned up! Donovan Ferreira departs and Varun Chakravarthy has scalped two wickets in one overs. First Aiden Markram tried to ramp him behind the wicket but ended up missing it and got wrapped on the pads. Donovan Ferreira missed a googly in the next delivery and got cleaned up. South Africa are way behind in the game now and need a miracle to comeback. Ferreira b Varun Chakaravarthy 0(1) and  Markram lbw b Varun Chakaravarthy 6(4).

Out! Both set batters depart within a over. It is Hardik Pandya who provides the breakthrough. Dewald Brevis has already struggled against the short ball and Hardik uses it to his advantage. Into the pitch digs it short and Brevis mistimes the pull to the hands of the deep mid-wicket fielder. India again ahead in the game. Brevis c Washington Sundar b Hardik Pandya 31(17).

Out! Wicket just after the break for India and a body blow for South Africa. Quinton de Kock departs after playing a brilliant innings. It was him who kept them alive in the big chase as he dominated the new ball bowlers of India. Now with him gone, South Africa will have a tougher task in hand.  de Kock c and b Bumrah 65(35).

South Africa have suddenly accelerated in the last two overs and got themselves to a good platform after the end of the 10th over. The game is still poised well for both teams and it is Dewald Brevis who is shifting the momentum in favour of the visitors here. India will look to get his wicket soon. 

Out! First breakthrough for India and it is Varun Chakaravarthy who delivers. Incoming delivery from length, Reeza Henricks tries to work it on the onside and ends up chipping it to the hands of short mid-wicket, who takes a brilliant catch. Important wicket for India. Reeza Hendricks c Shivam Dube b Varun Chakaravarthy 13(12).

To stay alive in a massive chase of 232 runs, South Africa needed a good start in the powerplay. They have got a steady one where they have maintained a brisk run rate and has not lost any wicket as well. They still have a massive task in hand and will have to keep chipping in with regular boundaries. 

Some sensational hitting from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya and with little contributions from Hardik Pandya, India have set a massive total in front of South Africa. India started strong and were progressing steady but Hardik came in and took the scoring rate higher with his striking. Tilak kept the innings together till the end. Although Hardik and Tilak got dismissed in the last two overs, they did their job. South Africa have a tough task in their hands. 

Fifty! Clean striking from Hardik Pandya and he brings up his half-century in just 16 deliveries. This is the second fastest half-century by an Indian in T20Is. Hardik is only placed after Yuvraj who scored it in 12 balls. Tilak Varma has been playing the second fiddle as he brought up his half-century as well. India are on the brink of a big score. 

Out! The game is constantly shifting balance and momentum. After Sanju Samson's wicket, South Africa pressed on and that resulted in the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav. He tried to lift Corbin Bosch over mid-off but ended up playing into his hands. Hardik Pandya came in and immediately started to smash the bowlers. Along with Tilak, he smashed 27 runs off one over of George Linde. Suryakumar Yadav c Miller b Corbin Bosch 5(7).

Out! Sanju Samson departs. He was playing really well and powered India to a solid start. Geroge Linde's brilliance helped South Africa to see his back. Drifted one into the stumps to draw Samson forward and then the ball turns and straightens to take off his off-stump. Important breakthrough for South Africa. Samson made a statement here. Samson b Linde 37(22).

Oh! Umpire Rohan Pandit is down. He got hit on his right leg by the ball after a deflection from Donovan Ferreira's hands. Sanju Samson smacked the ball straight which went through the hands of Ferreira and hit the leg of Pandit. Pandit was down, but he resumed after receiving some treatment. 

Out! South Africa get a crucial breakthrough. Abhishek Sharma was looking dangerous, and he was looking to attack every Indian bowlers. Corbin Bosch went short into the wicket and Sharma moved away to pull it. Just brushed the glove on the ball while it went to the hands of Quinton de Kock. Umpire responded to a faint appeal to give it out and DRS confirmed it. Abhishek Sharma c de Kock b Corbin Bosch 34(21).

Solid start for India in the powerplay. Race off the blocks with Abhishek Sharma taking the charge and Sanju Samson joined him soon. Sanju and Abhishek picked up a few stray boundaries to help India start positively in a crucial game. 

South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.

Toss Update: South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first. 

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