Sanju Samson was not included in India's XI for the first T20I against South Africa

India great Virat Kohli continued his push to regain his place as the best ODI batter while moving up to the second spot in the latest ICC rankings released on Wednesday.

Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah bagged two wickets each to help India bowl South Africa out for 74 in the chase of 176 in Cuttack.

With only a travel day separating the first two games of the five-match series, Shubman Gill won't mind getting straight into the middle in search of a substantial knock.

After the match, Hardik Pandya took a moment and credited his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma for his performance.

Former South Africa pace ace Dale Steyn feels Suryakumar Yadav's "secure, welcoming, and willing to adjust" captaincy brings out the best in the the players, who in turn back their skipper.

The player acknowledged the depth of talent in Indian cricket and emphasised that both he and Sanju Samson share the same goal.

Hardik Pandya was named Player of the Match after his unbeaten 59 of 28 deliveries, which powered India to a commanding win against South Africa in the first T20I in Cuttack on Tuesday.

Hardik Pandya made a memorable comeback to competitive cricket, striking a mood-lifting unbeaten fifty and then taking a key wicket as India etched a dominant 101-run win over South Africa

Jasprit Bumrah on Tuesday became the first Indian player to take at least 100 wickets in each of the three formats

Hardik Pandya marked his return to competitive cricket with a blistering half-century that helped India recover from early blows to post a healthy 175/6 in the opening T20I against South Africa

The T20 World Cup 2026 starts in less than two months, on February 7, while the final will be played on March 8

Shubman Gill, India's vice-captain for the five-game T20I series against South Africa, said that his body was feeling 'perfectly fine' heading into the series as he made a return to international cricket

It is 10 matches to go before the start of the T20 World Cup at home. As India preps for the best XI, they have left out Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Sanju Samson, and Washington Sundar from the opening T20 against South Africa

SA20 is set to elevate its world-class broadcast experience for Season 4, unveiling a star-studded commentary team featuring some of the biggest names in global cricket.

India vs South Africa Free LIVE Telecast, 1st T20I LIVE Streaming: When And Where To Watch

Jasprit Bumrah will be back in India colours for the T20I series against South Africa starting Tuesday

IND vs SA 1st T20I Highlights: Hardik Pandya starred with the bat and Jasprit Bumrah achieved a historic milestone, as India beat South Africa by a whopping 101 runs in the first T20I in Cuttack on Tuesday.