India and South Africa clashed in the 5th and final T20I of the series at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on December 19, 2025. Aiden Markram won the toss and chose that South Africa will bowl first.  

India made three changes to their lineup: Jasprit Bumrah replaced Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar replaced Kuldeep Yadav, and Shubman Gill, who injured his toe, was replaced by Sanju Samson.

Indian hitters demonstrated intent from the start, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 34 in 21 balls and Sanju Samson making 37 in 22 balls. Suryakumar Yadav's bad streak continued as he was dismissed for five runs.

But then Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya combined to score 105 runs in 44 balls, smashing Proteas bowlers all around the Ahmedabad ground. Tilak Varma scored 73 in 42 balls, with ten fours and one six.

Hardik Pandya was more brutal with the bat, striking his half-century in just 16 balls, making him the second fastest Indian to reach 50 in T20Is. He scored 63 runs in 25 balls, including five fours and as many sixes, to help India finish on 231/5 in 20 overs.

Though Reeza Hendricks (13) struggled, Quinton de Kock gave a flying start to the Proteas chase. He added 69 runs for the first wicket with Hendricks and then added 51 runs for the second wicket with Dewald Brevis, who made 31 in 17 balls with three fours and two sixes.

De Kock looked phenomenal and scored 65 in 35 balls with 9 fours and 3 sixes. However, Indian bowlers hit back as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed De Kock, and Hardik Pandya got rid of Brevis.

Varun Chakaravarthy, though he was taken to the cleaners, picked up four wickets in Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Donovan Ferreira, and George Linde.

Though the tail fluttered a bit, the total was too much for South Africa. They only managed 201/8 in 20 overs and lost the fifth and final T20I by 30 runs. Jasprit Bumrah took 2/17, while Varun took 4/53 as India won the series 3-1 as well to end their 2025 on a big note.  

Hardik Pandya was named the Player of the Match for his fifty and one wicket. Varun Chakaravarthy won the Player of the Series for his 10 wickets in the series.

The cricket fraternity was ecstatic as India showed dominance in the T20I series against South Africa and won it in style. They took to social media to praise the Indian team and its performers.

Here are some posts: