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IND vs SA T20: South Africa opt to bowl against India, live score and match updates
Dherandra Bisht
Modified 13 December 2025 at 12:57 AM IST -2 min read
On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, India played South Africa in the first T20 match at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first, putting India in to bat. The match began at 7:00 PM IST. Ind lost an early wicket, and runs were hard to get in the first few overs. The game is still live, and fans are closely watching how India recover from the slow start.
Suryakumar Yadav falls early as Lungi Ngidi strikes for South Africa
India captain Suryakumar Yadav walked in hoping for a quick start but could not stay long at the crease. He scored 12 runs from 11 balls before getting out. South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi dismissed him, with Aiden Markram taking the catch in the field.
South Africa kept things tight from the very first over. Marco Jansen bowled the opening over and did not give away easy runs. The bowlers stuck to good line and length, making it tough for India to score freely.
Another one down for India as Axar Patel departs for 23 off 21. ❌
South Africa continue to hold the upper hand. 🇿🇦#INDvSA #AxarPatel #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/aTUJyq09bf
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) December 9, 2025
After Suryakumar Yadav’s wicket, India were already feeling the pressure. The scoreboard showed slow movement, and South Africa looked in control during the early phase of the match.
Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma struggle as South Africa keep runs in check
After the early wicket, Tilak Varma tried to settle in, but the South African bowlers did not allow that. He scored just 1 run from his first 3 balls and found it hard to find gaps.
Soon after, Abhishek Sharma came to the crease. He also faced a tough start, scoring 1 run from 3 balls. Both batters had to defend more and attack less as South Africa kept bowling dot balls.
By 3.1 overs, India were 18 for 2, showing how difficult the start had been. South Africa’s fielding stayed sharp, and their bowling attack did not lose focus.
With early wickets down, India now need one batter to stay long and rebuild the innings. The match is still open, and much depends on how the middle order responds in the next few overs.
Dherandra is a College Football writer at Sports League Season. An athlete-turned-writer, he brings on-field perspective to his coverage, highlighting the energy, rivalries, and culture that define campus football. His reporting emphasizes quick-turn updates and nuanced storytelling, connecting directly with engaged fans. Dherandra believes the vibrant atmosphere at college football games fosters community and is central to the sport’s growth in America.
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