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New Delhi: On his return to competitive action, Hardik Pandya flourished with both and ball as Jasprit Bumrah entered an elite club of wicket-takers to power India to a 101-run victory in their five-match T20I series opener in Cuttack on Tuesday.
It was India's biggest win by runs on home soil against the Proteas.
Donning the national team shirt after 74 days following a left quadricep injury, Pandya smashed his sixth T20I half century to pull India to a respectable 175 for six.
The all-rounder then claimed 1/16 with the ball to limit the Proteas to 74 in 12.3 overs, their lowest in T20Is, in their run chase at the Barabati Stadium.
Jasprit Bumrah became the first Indian and fifth overall to complete a century of wickets in all three formats of cricket, with his 2/17 off three overs.
Walking into the middle at No. 6, Pandya hit an unbeaten 59 off 28 deliveries, studded with six boundaries and four sixes, to be India's top scorer after they had slipped in both the powerplay and middle overs.
The hosts lost wickets at regular intervals but Pandya, who had missed the Asia Cup due to injury, took matters in his own hands, landing lusty blows to change complexion of the game.
After recovering, the 32-year-old turned out for Baroda at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to make himself match fit and counter attacked with style.
India slumped in their initial overs as Lungi Ngidi (3/31) sent back Abhishek Sharma (17), Shubman Gill (4) and Suryakumar Yadav (12) inside seven overs.
But Pandya was hardly troubled as he launched into Keshav Maharaj for two towering sixes and then carted Anrich Nortje for 17 runs in an over.
He countered raw pace of Nortje with brute force as Lutho Sipamla was sent over and beyond the boundary in the 19th over as he completed his half century in 25 balls.
Thanks to Pandya's ferocious hits and Tilak Varma (26) and Axar Patel (23), India added 53 runs in the last five overs after South Africa opted to bowl.
Bumrah needed only a wicket to complete 100 T20I wickets and achieved it in the 11th over, with the wicket of Dewald Brevis (22), their highest scorer who was caught by Suryakumar Yadav.
Later Bumrah sent back Keshav Maharaj for match figures of 2/17 off three overs to be the first Indian and fifth worldwide with a century of wickets in all three formats.
He became the second Indian after Arshedeep Singh with a ton of wickets in the 20-over format.
Brief Scores: India 175 for six in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 59 not out; Lungi Ngidi 3/31).
SA 74 all out in 12.3 overs (Dewald Brevis 22; Axar Patel 2/7).
