2 Indian players who flopped and 1 who starred in the 5th T20I vs South Africa ft. Suryakumar Yadav

India dished out a commendable performance in the final game of their five-match T20I series against South Africa. The Men in Blue ran out winners by 30 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to seal a 3-1 series victory.

After losing the Test series against South Africa, the hosts bounced back in the white-ball leg. They were dominant for the most part in the shortest format, with key players delivering across the board. However, there were a couple who didn't step up in the final T20I.

On that note, here are two Indian players who flopped and one who starred in the fifth T20I against South Africa.

#3 Flop - Suryakumar Yadav

Cricket: Australia v India - 5th T20I - Source: Getty

Suryakumar Yadav's final outing before the T20 World Cup squad selection didn't go to plan. As has been the case throughout 2025, the Indian skipper failed to deliver as he fell cheaply while attempting an expansive lofted shot.

Mid-off was inside the circle, so Suryakumar was justified in trying to clear him. However, he once again mistimed the ball horribly, only to hand a simple catch and walk off for another failure.

India will be seriously concerned about the form of their captain, whose numbers this calendar year have been nothing short of woeful.

#2 Star - Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya meant business right from the first ball he faced in Ahmedabad. He danced down the track to smash Corbin Bosch over long-off and never took his foot off the pedal.

Hardik's assault in George Linde's last over took India well ahead of the par score as he raced away to the country's second-fastest half-century in the T20I format. He was severe on pace as well, playing an array of powerful lofted shots around the ground.

Hardik even helped himself to a wicket in the second innings, although he went for a few runs. He was rightfully adjudged the Player of the Match.

#1 Flop - Arshdeep Singh

Australia v India - T20 Series: Game 4 - Source: Getty

For the second time in the series, Arshdeep Singh completely lost the plot. The left-armer conceded 35 runs in the two overs he bowled in the powerplay, including an assortment of boundary balls and wides.

Concerningly, Arshdeep didn't bowl to his field at all. When he had a fielder out in the deep on the off-side, he drifted onto Quinton de Kock's pads. And when Suryakumar gave him two boundary riders on the leg-side, the pacer dished out width.

Arshdeep cannot afford to have such games in India's current team combination, which features only two frontline fast bowlers.