![[WATCH] Tilak Varma Smashes Anrich Nortje Out of the Ground in Cuttack](https://cricfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/G187cIiWQAAEHGR-scaled.jpg "[WATCH] Tilak Varma Smashes Anrich Nortje Out of the Ground in Cuttack")
India’s batting order encountered difficulty right from the start against South Africa in the first T20I match, which took place at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. The vice-captain, Shubman Gill, got out for just 1 run in the first over, and soon after, the captain, Suryakumar Yadav, was dismissed in the third over after scoring 12 runs.
The Barabati pitch turned out to be a tough one, presenting sticky conditions and noticeable seam movement, which helped the South African fast bowlers. Tilak Varma came to the crease to support the innings, provided he showed patience and strength even in the tough surrounding conditions that were for batting.
Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma formed a short-lived alliance, but soon, Sharma’s wicket fell to Sipamla. Varma still had to fight his way through the difficult pitch, managing to score 26 runs off 32 balls while never really being fluent during his entire innings. Nevertheless, the young batsman hit one brilliant shot against Anrich Nortje, sending the ball for a six and offering a bit of relief to India’s middle order, which was already under pressure from South Africa’s disciplined bowling performance.
Tilak Varma smashes Anrich Nortje for six out of the stadium
Sound 🔛 for this one! 🔊🔊
A terrifying hit from #TilakVarma and the ball sails over the roof of the stadium. 🏟#INDvSA, 1st T20I, LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/tqu4j7Svcm pic.twitter.com/Xf96CwC3AB
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 9, 2025
In the first T20I match between India and South Africa at Cuttack, Tilak Varma displayed his aggressive nature by hitting a remarkable six off the fastball of Anrich Nortje. The left-handed batsman first tried to sweep the 149.4 kmph delivery of the pacer that started the over but could not connect.
However, when Nortje bowled shorter on the next ball, Varma was all set and let the bat swing hard through the ball that went straight to the roof of the stadium for a brilliant six. This shot showed Varma’s skill to fight back even in tough batting conditions and against a fierce bowler.
India’s batting order was in trouble from the start, as the top three players did not make the most of their chances. Shubman Gill could only make 4 runs off 2 balls; M. S. Yadav, the captain, made 12 runs off 11 deliveries. Abhishek Sharma did a little better with 17 runs coming off 12 balls.
Although the pitch was not conducive and there was aggressive bowling from Nortje, Varma stayed not out at 25 runs off 30 balls; he got his runs with the help of two fours and one big six, thus giving some support to India’s ailing innings.
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