Overview
- India lead 1–0 after a dominant opener in Cuttack, bowling South Africa out for 74 as Hardik Pandya struck 59 off 28 and chipped in with the ball.
- Previews suggest India are unlikely to alter a winning XI, with Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh expected to lead the bowling again.
- Shubman Gill’s inconsistent T20 returns keep scrutiny on the top order, yet team management continues to back him to open.
- The second T20I at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is scheduled to begin at 7 pm local time.
- Predicted XIs tip Jitesh Sharma to retain the wicketkeeper role over Sanju Samson, while South Africa are seen weighing only minor tweaks.