Gujarat: India sealed the five-match Twenty20 International series against South Africa with a convincing 30-run victory in the final match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, finishing the contest 3-1 in their favour.
Powered by fluent half-centuries from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, India posted an imposing 231 for five after being asked to bat first. It was a total that proved beyond South Africa despite a promising start to the chase.
Sanju Samson, stepping in for the injured Shubman Gill, made an immediate impact at the top of the order alongside Abhishek Sharma. The pair launched a blistering opening stand, racing to 63 inside six overs and setting the tone for the innings. Samson fell after a brisk knock, while Abhishek departed soon after, but the momentum was firmly with the hosts.
Tilak and Pandya then took control with a dominant fourth-wicket partnership, adding 105 runs in just over seven overs. Tilak anchored the stand with a well-paced 73 off 42 balls, while Pandya provided the fireworks, smashing 63 from just 25 deliveries, including five sixes. Pandya’s innings also saw him reach the milestone of 2,000 T20I runs. India closed strongly to record their second-highest T20I total at the venue.
𝗪.𝗜.𝗡.𝗡.𝗘.𝗥.𝗦 🏆
Congratulations to #TeamIndia on clinching the 5⃣-match T20I series against South Africa by 3⃣-1⃣ 🥳#INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/SzFc9vNP5u
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 19, 2025
Chasing 232, South Africa began confidently as Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks put on a solid opening stand. De Kock continued the charge with Dewald Brevis, and the visitors were well placed at 120 for one midway through the innings, scoring at a rapid rate.
The match turned sharply after Jasprit Bumrah produced a moment of brilliance, dismissing de Kock with a yorker and a sharp return catch. From there, South Africa’s chase unraveled. Varun Chakravarthy struck regularly, finishing with four wickets, while Bumrah’s disciplined death bowling ensured the target slipped out of reach.
South Africa eventually closed on 201 for eight, handing India a comprehensive win and a well-earned series triumph.
