Watch: Hardik Pandya Trains Alone In Barabati Stadium As India & South Africa Reach Bhubaneswar For 1st T20I

The Indian and South African men’s cricket teams arrived in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, ready to kick off their five-match T20 series. The first T20 match is scheduled to start on December 9 at the Barabati

Stadium in Cuttack. India is entering the T20 series with momentum from a 2-1 victory in the ODI series against South Africa.

Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, president of the Odisha Cricket Association, assured comprehensive security arrangements and a warm reception for both teams at Hotel Mayfair in Bhubaneswar. He mentioned that practice sessions are set for Monday at the Barabati Stadium. Regarding stadium preparedness, Mohanty confirmed that all arrangements are in place, and he expects cricket enthusiasts to enjoy the match.

On Sunday, it was only Hardik Pandya who was spotted at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. The star Indian all-rounder was seen interacting with the fans too.

Watch:

🔥 Hardik Pandya is in the house. Excitement loading for 9th December!#hardikpandya #INDvsSA #1st #t20cricket #oca #bcci #odishacricketassociation #barabati #cuttack #barabatiroar #cricket #cricketlovers pic.twitter.com/sXfq07uSBU

— Odisha Cricket Association (@cricket_odisha) December 7, 2025

As per reports from the ground, Hardik Pandya, who had arrived in Cuttack on Saturday evening, opted for an extended warm-up that included stretching and running drills. Pandya seemed to experience slight discomfort in his right hip while bowling, but he still bowled at full intensity for about 20 minutes before taking a break.

He spent time with a local masseur to relieve tension in his lower back and hip muscles before proceeding to batting practice, where he sent the ball soaring into the stands.

Also Watch: Chaos Erupts Outside Barabati Stadium As Fans Scramble For IND-SA T20 Tickets

IND vs SA – T20Is Schedule

Following the first game in Cuttack, India and South Africa will play T20I matches in New Chandigarh (December 11), Dharamsala (December 14), Lucknow (December 17), and Ahmedabad (December 19).

India v South Africa – Full Squads

India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar

South Africa: Aiden Markram (C), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (WK), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs, Lutho Sipamla.

(With inputs from Agencies)