South Africa Records Historic Low Total in T20I Against India

South Africa faced a significant setback in T20 International cricket, suffering a staggering 101-run defeat to India in the first T20I match at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on March 9, 2024. Chasing a target of 176 runs, the Proteas were bowled out for just 74 runs, marking their lowest total in T20I history.

The South African batting line-up struggled throughout the innings, collapsing in just 12.3 overs on a challenging pitch. Only Dewald Brevis managed to score more than 20 runs, contributing 20 runs to the team’s total. The team’s previous lowest score in T20I cricket also came against India, when they were dismissed for 87 runs in Rajkot in June 2022 while chasing 170 runs.

Lungi Ngidi emerged as one of the few positives for South Africa, delivering a commendable bowling performance. Despite the defeat, his efforts stood out amid the batting collapse. According to ESPNcricinfo, this match saw South Africa record their first-ever sub-80 all-out total in T20I history.

Earlier in the match, India’s Hardik Pandya played a pivotal role with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 59 runs off just 28 balls. His performance helped India set a competitive total of 175 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. This defeat highlights ongoing challenges for South Africa’s batting order, particularly in high-pressure situations.

The last time South Africa faced a similarly dismal performance was during a T20I against Australia in 2020, where they were bowled out for 89 runs. This recent match against India poses questions about the team’s consistency and resilience, especially after having faced two significant losses against India in T20I cricket.

As the series continues, South Africa will need to regroup and reassess their strategies if they hope to recover from this historic low. The upcoming matches will be crucial for the Proteas to regain their footing and restore confidence among players and fans alike.