With the countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 well underway, India delivered a clinical performance in the first T20I of the five-match series against South Africa. Speaking
on JioStar’s post-match show ‘Cricket Live’, JioStar experts Dale Steyn and Robin Uthappa analysed India’s dominant display, while Steyn also reflected on Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy. India pacer Arshdeep Singh further shared insights into his bowling partnership with Jasprit Bumrah.
Speaking on ‘Cricket Live’, JioStar expert Dale Steyn shared his thoughts on South Africa’s struggle with the bat:
“It’s a tough one. Not tough to decipher how they batted, but certainly a tough pill to swallow because these are conditions you’d expect South Africa to be familiar with. At home, there’s always a bit of nip and seam, and we actually saw that when they bowled. So you’d think the message to the batters would've been: get through the first nine or ten overs, assess, and then go deep, similar to how Hardik played. But it looked like there was a bit of franticness without any real aggression. If India wanted to win, they had to make the new ball talk, and they did. Yes, there were one or two unlucky dismissals, inside edges carrying to the keeper, but that still comes from good bowling in the right areas, trying to drive on the up. It was similar to how England’s batters are trying to play in Australia, ultra-aggressive, but without reward. And then you see little signs of inexperience, like Brevis taking on Bumrah at the back end. The game was gone, but you still have to pick your battles. He’s the best white-ball bowler in the world. If de Villiers and others couldn’t consistently pull that off, you’re not going to do it, young man. Wait for your moment. There’s a lot to unpack from this game, but credit to India, they played a perfect match. Hardik Pandya batted beautifully, and then they bowled superbly. They showed South Africa exactly how to play on a sporting wicket.”
Speaking on ‘Cricket Live’, JioStar expert Robin Uthappa praised Hardik Pandya’s impact:
“Here comes a guy returning from a break after an injury, and it doesn’t even feel like he’s been away. From ball one, it looked like he had never left. The first ball was a six, the third ball was a six, and he raced to a 24-ball fifty. Then he came on to bowl and picked up wickets again, including the crucial one of David Miller, a batter he has dismissed several times. For me, he is an out-and-out match-winner, someone who will be integral to India’s success at the World Cup or in any T20 format, whether for India, in the IPL, or in white-ball cricket overall. He brings balance no one else offers. And after a long time, India had Hardik playing alongside another fast-bowling all-rounder in Shivam Dube, which is rare for India.”
Dale on Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy:
“When you have the backing of your team and feel comfortable in your environment, you can have open conversations with your players. You’re not threatened by your spot or by the captaincy. You put the team first and say, ‘What’s best for the individual? What’s best for the team?’ That’s the kind of captain everyone wants, someone who’s secure, welcoming, and willing to adjust for the greater good. Even if it’s just for a game or a series, that flexibility brings out the best in your players. So when he tells someone, ‘You can’t bat at three today, I need you at six,’ the batter understands because the captain has backed him before. That’s a fantastic skill and a great leadership quality.”
Speaking on ‘Cricket Live’, India fast bowler Arshdeep Singh opened up about his partnership with Jasprit Bumrah:
“My relationship with him is very good. He’s a gentle senior, never harsh on youngsters and always very polite. Being Punjabi as well, it’s easy for both of us to gel. Bowling with him makes things easier for me because batters usually look to attack my overs. Even bad balls can get me wickets because they know they won’t get easy runs at the other end. It benefits me, and I absolutely enjoy bowling alongside him.”
