In a high-octane warm-up clash at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, Team India kicked off their T20 World Cup preparations with a commanding 30-run victory over South Africa. Electing to bat first after winning the toss, India posted a formidable 240/6 in their 20 overs, setting a daunting target under the floodlights.
Opener Ishan Kishan set the tone with a blistering 53 off just 20 balls, smashing 7 sixes and 2 fours in a partnership of 80 runs with Abhishek Sharma in under 6 overs. Kishan retired out after his fireworks, handing the baton to Sharma and Tilak Varma. Sharma contributed a quick 24 off 18 balls with 4 boundaries before also retiring out.
Tilak Varma then unleashed hell, racing to 45 off 19 deliveries with 3 sixes and 3 fours. Captain Suryakumar Yadav added a brisk 30 off 16 balls, while Axar Patel chipped in with 35. Hardik Pandya remained unbeaten on 30 off 10 balls, including 5 boundaries, providing the perfect finish to India’s explosive innings. South Africa’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, and Kwena Maphaka picking one each.
Chasing 241, South Africa started poorly, losing George Linde for a duck in the first over. Captain Aiden Markram (38) and Ryan Rickelton (44) stitched a 66-run stand for the second wicket off 30 balls, but once broken, the Proteas collapsed. They slumped to 100/5, from where Jason Smith (35 off 23) and Marco Jansen (31 off 16) fought back. Tristan Stubbs remained unbeaten on 45 off 21 balls with 4 sixes and a four, but it wasn’t enough as South Africa ended at 210/7.
India’s bowlers struck back decisively. Abhishek Sharma led with 2 wickets, supported by Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Axar Patel with one each. This morale-boosting win gives India the perfect momentum heading into the T20 World Cup.