Tests a triumph, but overall South Africa not good enough in India

The Air Quality Index in Ahmedabad at the start of the fifth T20I was 142—poor, but better than the 400+ in Lucknow on Wednesday, which caused that match to be abandoned due to fog. Hardik Pandya even warmed up wearing a mask. In contrast, Cape Town's AQI was 50 at match time.

More pertinently, how about the cricket quality index? South Africa delivered high-quality cricket on tour, particularly in the two Tests. Senuran Muthusamy scored the only century of the series, and seven of the top nine run-scorers were South Africans. Simon Harmer was the leading wicket-taker, followed by Marco Jansen.

Their 2-0 Test series win—their first in India in over 25 years—silenced critics of their World Test Championship final qualification. They then beat Australia in that final, further cementing their credentials.

However, South Africa were less convincing in the white-ball matches. They lost the first ODI by 17 runs despite a high-scoring chase, then won the second by four wickets despite centuries from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. But they collapsed in the third ODI, losing by nine wickets.

In the T20Is, they were dismissed for 74 in Cuttack—their lowest T20I score—before bouncing back with a 51-run win in Chandigarh. Another poor batting display in Dharamsala led to a seven-wicket defeat.

In Ahmedabad, India's aggression was evident. Hardik Pandya struck 63 off 25 balls, including a 16-ball fifty—India's second-fastest T20I half-century. A spectator's banner read "Pandyamonium." Tilak Varma supported with 73 off 42 in a 105-run partnership, though he was run out.

Chasing 232, South Africa's hopes rested on Quinton de Kock, who earned his 100th T20I cap. Despite injuring his right hand early, he attacked fiercely, helping South Africa stay ahead of the rate. He and Reeza Hendricks put on 69 off 39 before Hendricks fell for 7.

De Kock then added 51 off 23 with Dewald Brevis, but his dismissal for 56 off 35 to Jasprit Bumrah began the collapse. Brevis fell for 31, and Varun Chakravarthy took two wickets in an over, including Aiden Markram and Donovan Ferreira. South Africa lost seven wickets for 81, finishing 30 runs short.

They won only four of nine completed matches in India—not good enough, regardless of the AQI.