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India wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma equalled MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik's record during the first T20I of the five-match series against South Africa. He did so by taking a total of four catches during the match. Though he was very close to equal Dhoni's all-time record of the most wicketkeeping dismissals for India in a T20I innings with five, he ended up missing out by a whisker.
Indian wicketkeepers with the most dismissals in a T20I innings -
5 - MS Dhoni vs ENG, 2018
4 - MS Dhoni vs AFG, 2010
4 - MS Dhoni vs PAK, 2012
4 - MS Dhoni vs SL, 2017
4 - Dinesh Karthik vs ENG, 2022
4 - Jitesh Sharma vs SA, 2025
Jitesh's impressive display
Jitesh, who was preferred over Sanju Samson in the playing XI for the first T20I, had a great oputing. He remained unbeaten on 10 runs from five deliveries and then put in a solid performance as a wicketkeeper in India's 101-run drubbing of the Proteas. The visitors got bundled out for just 74 runs after being handed a target of 176.
Pandya stars in India's one-sided win
Hardik Pandya was the star performer for India as his unbeaten knock of 59 completely changed the game and got the side to a fighting total. Notably, this was the 32-year-old's first international match since September. He had been out of action for months due to a quadriceps injury that he sustained before the Asia Cup final. He made a phenomenal return and not only contributed with the bat, but also picked up the big wicket of David Miller.
After recently sealing the ODI series by 2-1, India made a positive start to the T20I series and took a 1-0 lead with their 101-run victory in Cuttack. It was a terrific all-round display from the Men in Blue as they maintained their blistering form in the shortest format. They will be aiming to take a formidable lead in the series by winning the second T20I that will be held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in Punjab on December 11.
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