[WATCH]- Shivam Dube Begins Innings With First-Ball Six Off Baartman In IND Vs SA 5th T20I

Shivam Dube started his innings with a flourish by smashing a six off Ottneil Baartman in the fifth T20I between India and South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19. The striking shot came in the final over of India’s innings.

Baartman delivered a slower ball in the slot, which Dube, positioned well inside the crease, timed impeccably to send the ball soaring over mid-wicket into the stands. The left-handed batter concluded his cameo with 10 runs from three deliveries, helping the Men in Blue finish their innings strongly.

You can watch the video here:

https://www.bcci.tv/bccilink/videos/3TRvbqAs

With this brief but impactful cameo, Shivam Dube regained form after previous scores of 11 (9) and 1 (2). He will now aim to contribute with the ball as well, having claimed five wickets in his last five T20I appearances.

Shivam Dube Seals India’s Total At 232 Against South Africa In 5th T20I

Shivam Dube played a crucial finishing role as India posted 231/5 against South Africa in the fifth T20I. Tilak Varma top-scored with 73 off 42 balls, including a six and 10 boundaries, while Hardik Pandya contributed a rapid 63 from 25 deliveries, featuring five sixes and five fours. The pair put together a 105-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Earlier, openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson scored 34 (21) and 37 (22), respectively, adding 63 runs for the first wicket. However, India captain Suryakumar Yadav continued his poor run of form, being dismissed for a single-digit score. For South Africa, Corbin Bosch was the most successful bowler, taking two wickets but conceding 44 runs in three overs.

George Linde and Ottneil Baartman claimed one wicket each. With this win, India lead the five-match series 2-1, having secured victories in the first and third T20Is by 101 runs and seven wickets, respectively. The Men in Blue have not lost a T20I series since their triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup.

South Africa, meanwhile, won the second T20I by 51 runs, while the fourth encounter in Lucknow was abandoned due to heavy fog. The visitors now face a must-win situation to avoid consecutive series defeats, having lost their previous T20I series 2-1 to Pakistan.

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