Navi Mumbai, February 5: India secured a 30-run victory against South Africa in a warm-up match held at DY Patil Sports Academy on Wednesday.
Winning the toss, India opted to bat first, scoring 240 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Ishan Kishan formed a solid opening partnership of 80 runs with Abhishek Sharma in just 5.4 overs.
Ishan scored 53 runs off 20 balls, hitting 7 sixes and 2 fours before retiring. Following his exit, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma took charge. Abhishek contributed 24 runs from 18 balls, while Tilak Varma scored 45 runs off 19 balls, including 3 sixes and 3 fours.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav added 30 runs from 16 balls, and Hardik Pandya remained unbeaten with 30 runs off 10 balls, featuring 5 boundaries. From the South African side, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, and Quinton de Kock each took 1 wicket.
In response, South Africa managed to score only 210 runs, losing 7 wickets. The visitors lost George Linde (0) on the last ball of the first over. Captain Aiden Markram (38) and Ryan Rickelton (44) built a partnership of 66 runs for the second wicket in 30 balls, but once this partnership broke, the team struggled.
South Africa lost 5 wickets before reaching a score of 100. Jason Smith attempted to stabilize the innings with a quick 35 runs off 23 balls. Marco Jansen also contributed 31 runs off 16 balls. Tristan Stubbs remained not out at 45 runs from 21 balls, hitting 4 sixes and 1 four, but could not lead his team to victory. Abhishek Sharma was the standout bowler for India, taking 2 wickets, while Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dubey, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel each claimed 1 wicket.