IND vs SA 5th T20I Results

6:11 PM IST South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram says that 230 was always going to be tough but the top order set it up nicely for them and they simply couldn't get it done. Reckons that it was the left-right combination that made it tough for their bowlers and went with their gut feel with the bowling changes. Adds that it was a tough series and they know what they need to do if they want to win the World Cup and want to find ways in which they can improve. Ends by saying that they tried different combinations in this series but have the answers now.

6:11 PM IST Varun Chakaravarthy is the Player of the Series for his brilliant efforts with the ball. He says that this was the best match of the series and he enjoyed it a lot. Says that he has been given the freedom to pick up wickets first and then look to contain. Further adds that he speaks to all the senior players in the team and tries to evolve his game. Ends by dedicating this award to his mom, dad and sister.

6:07 PM IST Right then, that is it from this game and from this long and hotly-contested tour. It all started in Kolkata with the Test series, which South Africa won 2-0 and then a very closely-fought ODI series was snatched by India in the deciding 3rd game. We then had 5 T20Is as well, one of them was abandoned due to fog and eventually, India went on to win it 3-1. This also marks the end of international cricketing action for both these teams in 2025. The South African players will now head home to participate in the SA20, which begins on Boxing Day, whereas the Indians will enjoy a break during Christmas and the New Year before welcoming New Zealand for a white-ball series. We hope that you enjoyed our coverage. Until next time, take care and goodbye!

6:06 PM IST The captain of India, Suryakumar Yadav says the team played the brand of cricket they wanted to throughout the series, adding that this was the approach they had discussed coming into it. He explains that the plan with the ball was to use one over of Jasprit Bumrah in the Powerplay, then bring him back after the drinks break and again at the death. Suryakumar admits the team was challenged at times but feels this game is about how you bounce back. He describes it as a good, challenging series and says the team did everything they could. On a personal note, he concedes he couldn’t find his form but vows to come back stronger.

6:06 PM IST Hardik Pandya is the Player of the Match. He says he plays the sport to win games for his country, not for individual awards. Mentions that he only found out about scoring the second-fastest fifty later, after being told by the team’s social media head, and adds that he is happy that Yuvraj Singh holds the record. Pandya reveals that he told his teammates and his partner before the game that he was going to step out on the very first ball and backed himself to execute. Tells that George Linde bowled well to him in New Chandigarh, and that motivated him to take him on today. Adds that irrespective of how many times you are knocked down, it’s about coming back stronger, because the journey keeps going and the hard work never stops.

6:00 PM IST The Presentation ceremony...