Team India’s T20 World Cup campaign got off to a flyer with a convincing 30-run thrashing of South Africa in a warm-up game at DY Patil Sports Academy. Choosing to set a total after winning the toss, India unleashed 240/6 in 20 overs – a score that proved just too steep for the Proteas.
Ishan Kishan’s explosive start defined the innings: 53 runs from 20 balls, including 7 sixes and 2 boundaries, in an 80-run opening stand with Abhishek Sharma. Both openers retired out after their cameos – Sharma making 24 off 18 with 4 fours.
Tilak Varma’s aggressive 45 off 19 (3×6, 3×4) propelled the middle order, complemented by skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s 30 off 16 and Axar Patel’s composed 35. Hardik Pandya’s late flourish of 30* off 10 balls with 5 boundaries pushed India past 240. The South African bowlers toiled without much success.
In reply, South Africa lost Linde first ball. A resilient 66-run stand between Markram (38) and Rickelton (44) faltered, leading to a middle-order meltdown at 100/5. Smith (35 off 23), Jansen (31 off 16), and Stubbs (45* off 21, 4×6, 1×4) mounted a recovery, but 210/7 was short.
India’s attack was clinical, with Sharma’s brace and wickets from Arshdeep, Dube, Chakaravarthy, and Axar. This victory signals India’s readiness with explosive batting and sharp bowling.