Follow UsSouth Africa crashed to a humiliating 101-run defeat in the first T20I against India at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on December 9 (Tuesday), collapsing to their lowest-ever T20I total. Chasing 176, the Proteas folded for just 74 in 12.3 overs.
Coincidentally, their previous lowest T20I score - 87 in Rajkot in 2022 - also came against India. In fact, three of their lowest T20I totals are now against the Men in Blue, including 95 in Johannesburg in 2023. This was also the sixth instance of South Africa being bowled out for under 100.
South Africa’s lowest T20I totals
74 vs India, Cuttack, 2025
87 vs India, Rajkot, 2022
89 vs Australia, Johannesburg, 2020
95 vs India, Johannesburg, 2023
96 vs Australia, Cape Town, 2020
98 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (RPS), 2018
India had earlier posted an above-par 175/6 on a slow surface, powered by Hardik Pandya’s blistering 59* off 28 balls. The chase derailed instantly as Arshdeep Singh removed Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs in his first two overs, putting South Africa on the mat.
Dewald Brevis (22 off 14) was the only batter to reach 20, as wickets kept tumbling and the Proteas never threatened to get into the game. India used six bowlers, and every single one of them took a wicket.
South Africa’s 74 is now also the second-lowest total by any team against India in India, behind New Zealand’s 66 in Ahmedabad (2023), and the fourth-lowest all-out total against India overall.
Lowest totals against India in India (T20Is)
66 – New Zealand, Ahmedabad, 2023
74 – South Africa, Cuttack, 2025
82 – Sri Lanka, Vizag, 2016
87 – Sri Lanka, Vizag, 2017
Lowest all-out totals vs India (T20Is)
57 – UAE, Dubai, 2025
66 – New Zealand, Ahmedabad, 2023
70 – Ireland, Dublin (Malahide), 2018
74 – South Africa, Cuttack, 2025
80 – England, Colombo (RPS), 2012
India now lead the five-match series 1-0. The second T20I will be played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on December 11 (Thursday).