IND vs SA Highlights 5th T20I: India hammer South Africa by 30 runs after Varun, Bumrah heroics

"Yeah, I don't play cricket to win player of the match awards. I have always played sports to win games. It is always exciting, and it is always good to win games when you do well.

I didn't know I was the second-fastest fifty-holder for India. I found out after I was out and in the dressing room. A social media manager informed me of it. My first reaction was, Ah, I missed the first spot! But happy that Yuvi pa (Yuvraj) still holds that record.

I had told my teammates and my partner earlier in the day that I was going to step out on the first ball itself and try to hit it for a six. I felt that it was my day. I was confident it would come off. The situation when I walked out suited my style; I backed myself, and it worked. I took a calculated risk, and thankfully it worked in my favour. 

Always enjoyed the challenge. No matter how many setbacks you face, the aim is to come back stronger, better, and make a bigger impact. When it all comes together, it feels satisfying. But the journey continues - the preparation, the planning, the hard work never stops."

"230 was always going to require a near-perfect chase. The top three set it up really well for us, but in the middle, we couldn’t quite carry that momentum forward.

It’s obviously a tough loss, but there are some big lessons in there for us as a group. With us playing a lot of games here during the World Cup, those lessons could be very valuable. You learn quickly what works and what doesn’t in these conditions, and that experience is something we’ll take forward.

The shuffle in the batting order was very deliberate. We wanted to expose Brevis to spin because he makes six-hitting against spin look quite easy. It was also about creating a left-right combination and making things as tough as possible for the opposition.

In T20 cricket, especially in the middle order, there isn’t always a fixed order - you often go with your gut feel, and that’s exactly what we did tonight.

As a series overall, it asked some tough questions of us. That’s a good thing. Going through that now gives us clarity on what we need to do when it really matters at a World Cup. We’ve played against a strong opposition, and credit to them for the way they performed.

There was a bit of experimentation early in the series - looking at combinations and best positions for players. Now we’ve got those answers, which is important.

Going into the World Cup, things will be a lot more structured, and in the middle order, we’ll continue to make the best calls based on what the situation demands."

"Nothing much was going through my mind, to be honest. I know how this wicket plays here. The way Abhishek and Sanju bhai batted in the first five overs showed that the pitch was really good. So, my plan was simple - to maintain the strike rate and show intent from the start."

"The partnership with Hardik was incredible. From the non-striker’s end, it was a treat to watch. The way he was striking the ball was so clean, and some of those shots were outstanding. He took the aggressive role early on, and that really helped us build momentum."

"I batted till the end, but I wasn’t thinking too much about a specific target. I just wanted to score as many runs as possible for the team. While batting with Hardik bhai, we did talk about getting somewhere around 230 or 240, and I think we managed to put up a strong total on the board."

"As for bowling, I’m honestly working very hard on it. Hopefully, you’ll see me bowling more in the coming games. That decision is with Surya bhai, but I’m putting in the effort and staying ready whenever the opportunity comes."

Well, the last over from Abhishek goes for some runs as but in the end, it doesn't matter. Suryakumar Yadav continues to be unbeaten as India skipper in T20Is, as the match is sealed by the hosts with a 30-run win. The game was set up right at the top, with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson delivering. 

Then it was the Tilak Verma and Hardik Pandya show, as they took apart the bowling in the final 7 overs. India were made to sweat by De Kock and Brevis briefly, but then Bumrah and Hardik changed the game, removing both men. Varun Chakravarthy took four wickets in the end and his double strike in one over effectively ended the contest. 

India now have New Zealand waiting, their final series before the World Cup. Speaking of which, the squad will be revealed tomorrow. 

So, Corbin Bosch is the last recognised batter for South Africa. He is looking to farm the strike at the moment, but the equations seems to be well away from them at the moment. And then Bumrah comes in and gives away just three to ensure India win the match, unless Hardik decides to have a howler with multiple wides and no-balls. Oh wait, it's Abhishek Sharma here. 

LIVE SCORE, IND v SA 5th T20I: South Africa (188 for 8 in 19 ov), chasing 232. Ngidi (2*), Bosch (9*)  

Bumrah looked to be out of form in Mullanpur but when his team needed him the most, the star pacer steps up. Bumrah gets his second wicket of the day and it is the dangerous Jansen, whose India tour comes to an end. It was a fine review here as Samson was told his captain to go for it. It was a shot in the dark and it goes in the favour of the hosts. 

LIVE SCORE, IND v SA 5th T20I: South Africa (177 for 8 in 16.1 ov), chasing 232. Ngidi (0*), Bosch (1*)  

A perfect response from Varun here after being hit for a six. He changes the angle and cleans up George Linde and India are heading towards a big win here. And then , Jansen hits two sixes to spoil the figures of Varun, who gets four wickets and concedes 52 runs. 

India have two overs from Bumrah still left. 

LIVE SCORE, IND v SA 5th T20I: South Africa (177 for 7 in 16 ov), chasing 232. Jansen (14*), Bosch (1*)  

David Miller's finishing job has been ended by Arshdeep Singh as India continue to chip away. Arshdeep got a lot of stick in his first two overs, but has been sensational in his return over, keeping things restricted to just singles and doubles and only six come of them. 

LIVE SCORE, IND v SA 5th T20I: South Africa (156 for 6 in 15 ov), chasing 232. Jansen (1*), Linde (8*)  

Hardik will feel that he was very unlucky during this game. George Linde is able to play a pull that dissects the boundary riders and then Miller gets one to go over the fielder inside the circle for another one. This duo will be key in the run chase but the squeeze will continue from the hosts. 

LIVE SCORE, IND v SA 5th T20I: South Africa (150 for 5 in 14.1 ov), chasing 232. Miller (16*), Linde (8*)  

Another wicket falls as Aiden Markram is trapped in front of the stumps as Varun gets his second wicket of the night. The South African skipper goes for the review after given out and luck is with India this time. The DRS shows that the impact was umpire's call. Donovan Fereira comes in and he has no clue of that delivery and goes through the gate. Linde survives the hat-trick ball but can the Proteas recover now. The equation is still gettable but Bumrah has two overs left and Varun has got one. 

LIVE SCORE, IND v SA 5th T20I: South Africa (135 for 5 in 12.4 ov), chasing 232. Miller (7*), Linde (0*)  

One brings two and Hardik puts in a great bouncer to dismiss Dewald Brevis as Washington Sundar takes a sensational catch. South Africa have two new batters at the crease in the form of Miller and Markram and they will need to rebuild and ensure the run-rate is up to the mark as well. ADVANTAGE INDIA!

LIVE SCORE, IND v SA 5th T20I: South Africa (130 for 3 in 12 ov), chasing 232. Miller (7*), Markram (2*)

India needed a wicket and some pressure on and it is Bumrah who delivers. A good change up delivery sees Quinton de Kock hit it straight back to the bowler. A couple of dot balls and singles follow as four runs came off the over after India were leaking runs. Bumrah could make or break the game for the hosts here and he will need others to step up now. 

A couple of boundaries and six from Brevis sees Varun Chakravarthy go for 23 runs in his second over. The pressure that was built up early on has been released and Brevis gets luck to go his way as an inside edge races to the boundary off Hardik Pandya and South Africa cross the 100-run mark. A six and a boundary follows and India are under pressure right now. 

Hardik will consider himself to be unlucky as Brevis skies one and then De Kock's catch wasn't picked by Abhishek in the deep. 42 RUNS HAVE COME OFF THE LAST TWO OVERS!

 LIVE SCORE, IND v SA 5th T20I: South Africa (118 for 1 in 10 ov), chasing 232. De Kock (65*), Brevis (29*)

Quinton de Kock gets to his fifty with a single, his 18th in the format, but India are slowly putting the squeeze on the visitors. The last four overs have seen things change in Ahmedabad, with Bumrah, Varun and Sundar ensuring no freebies are given away. Just as we say that a six from De Kock here. 

 LIVE SCORE, IND v SA 5th T20I: South Africa (87 for 0 in 8.3 ov), chasing 231. De Kock (60*), Brevis (3*)

Dewald Brevis gets a promotion. He usually bats at No. 5. But, today he is in at No. 3. 

The Chennai Super Kings star has not been in good form. He needs a biggie. So does South Africa.

Can he get it today.

Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy finishes his first over with a wicket and concedes just three runs. 

Varun Chakravarthy hasn't bowled in the powerplay today. And he is into his job straightaway. 

He gets the wicket of Reeze Hendricks for 13 (12 balls). The South Africa opener never really got going. 

He chips a delivery straight into the short mid-wicket fielder. Reeza couldn't judge which way the ball spun. 

"If you want a wicket, you bring on Varun Chakravarthy," says Dale Steyn on air. 

is that not true? 

Washington Sundar keeps ii tight. It's not easy for anyone to bowl the last over of the powerplay. But, he has given away just 8 runs.

Yet, South Africa finished with 67 in the powerplay, thanks to Quinton de Kock's blitz. 

That was close. Sanju Samson did wonderfully to quickly collect a flatter and faster delivery and whip the bails off when Quinton de Kock had skipped out of the crease for a moment. Samson was off-balance. 

However, De Kock returned in time to ensure he was there in the middle. 

A good effort, nonetheless, from Sanju Samson.

Keep in mind, Samson is keeping wickets today despite having Jitesh Sharma on the field. 

Jasprit Bumrah is bowling the fifth over. He has been introduced late into the powerplay.

And the senior pacer immediately makes an impact, bowling three dots in the final over of the powerplay. He keeps Quinton de Kock quiet and has a bit of banter with his Mumbai Indians teammate, who was bought in the auction. 

Washington Sundar is among the probables for India's T20 World Cup squad. He hasn't yet fired with the bat in limited opportunities. But, India would love to have his control with the ball.

His bowling in the powerplay today looks more of an audtion. 

He has done well, giving away 16 runs in his first two overs when threre's been carnage at the other end.