[WATCH]- Axar Patel’s Perfect First Delivery Sends Markram Packing In T20I Opener

Team India all-rounder Axar Patel made an immediate impact in the opening T20I against South Africa at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, on Tuesday, December 9, by taking a wicket with his very first delivery. The left-arm spinner bamboozled Aiden Markram, bowling him for 14 and providing India with a crucial breakthrough.

The wicket came in the final over of the powerplay when Suryakumar Yadav handed the ball to the Gujarat-born all-rounder. Axar’s delivery skidded on, deceiving the South African captain, who missed it completely, only for his leg stump to be uprooted. This dismissal left South Africa struggling at 40/3 in 5.1 overs while chasing a challenging total of 176.

You can watch the video here:

Spinners doing the trick 🪄

Axar Patel 🤝 Varun Chakaravarthy #TeamIndia chipping away at the wickets in Cuttack 🔢

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/tiemfwcNPh #INDvSA | @akshar2026 | @chakaravarthy29 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Hjg7nUKCDV

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 9, 2025

Before Axar Patel made his breakthrough, Arshdeep Singh had already shaken the South African innings by claiming two early wickets, sending back Quinton de Kock (0) and Tristan Stubbs (10) to put the visitors on the back foot in their chase.

Axar Patel Adds 23 Crucial Runs On A Challenging Pitch After India Bat First

With the bat, Axar Patel played a valuable cameo, scoring 23 runs off 21 balls, helping India reach a competitive total of 175/6 in their 20 overs. After winning the toss, South Africa’s Aiden Markram opted to field, taking advantage of the dew factor. However, India got off to a shaky start, losing Abhishek Sharma (17), Shubman Gill (4), and Suryakumar Yadav (12), with two wickets falling inside the powerplay.

Making a return to international cricket since the Asia Cup 2025, Hardik Pandya starred for the Men in Blue, smashing an unbeaten 59 off just 28 balls to anchor India’s innings. Tilak Varma also contributed with 26 runs from 32 deliveries, providing further support in building a defendable total.

By the time of reporting, South Africa had collapsed to 72/9, with Axar Patel adding another wicket in his second over, putting India firmly in control and on course for a dominant win, securing a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series. While South Africa had previously whitewashed India 2-0 in the Test series, India had bounced back to claim the ODI series 2-1.

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