India vs South Africa Warm-Up Match: 450 Runs, 33 Sixes Thrill DY Patil Crowd

Navi Mumbai was treated to an entertaining final dress rehearsal. India won the match by 30 runs. As expected, both teams tried a few different things, in the absence of Quinton de Kock, George Linde opened the innings for South Africa; Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Abhishek Sharma delivered 8 overs for India, Axar Patel bowled just one etc.

But one thing did not change, Ishan Kishan's approach up top. He exploded like a pocket-sized dynamite and entertained the 43,000+ crowd with some fearless shot-making. He retired after completing his half-century. Meanwhile, despite hitting three fours and a sumptuous six over extra cover, Abhishek did not look at his fluent best.

High-scoring warm-up match thrills fans at DY Patil Stadium

The same could be said about Rinku Singh who found it tough to create his own pace against Lungi Ngidi's skilfully executed slower balls. However, the others made the pitch looked like a belter. Tilak Varma hit the ground running and showed no signs of rust, Suryakumar Yadav carried his good form, Axar Patel got the much-needed time out in the middle and Hardik Pandya bossed the proceedings during his 10-ball-30.

And just like that, India notched-up a massive 240. How belligerent that ball-striking was? Perhaps, ask Anrich Nortje, who got carted around for 57 in 3 overs. Interestingly, Keshav Maharaj did not take the field.

It was always going to be a daunting climb for Aiden Markram and co. But the captain set the right tone with a 19-ball-38. Ryan Rickelton, who batted at 3, almost overshadowed him with a swashbuckling 21-ball-44. Brevis and Miller failed to impress, while Marco Jansen stole the show with an effervescent cameo of 31 (16) before falling to Abhishek's left arm spin.

There was a battle within the battle. Tristan Stubbs and Jason Smith might be competing for the same spot in SA's first XI. The latter seemed to have stolen it with a sprightly knock initially. However, Stubbs turned it around after a scratchy start and smoked Shivam Dube for three sixes in the last over to stake his claim.

India did not field Jasprit Bumrah or Washington Sundar and gave Harshit Rana only one over. Hardik Pandya bowled two up top and Kuldeep Yadav delivered a couple of expensive ones in the middle. Varun Chakaravarthy impressed with figures of 2-0-12-1.

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DC-W VS GG-W Eliminator 1 T20 WPL 2026: Where to Watch Delhi Capitals Women vs Gujarat Giants Women, H2H, Playing 11 & Full Match Details The Eliminator 1 of the WPL 2026 will play between Delhi Capitals Women will face the Gujarat Giants Women on Tuesday, 3rd February at 7:30 PM.

by Dwijesh February 2, 2026