In the first T20I match of the four-match series, India beat South Africa by 61 runs at the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban.
The Proteas won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first. Sanju Samson (107) grabbed the headlines in Durham today, hitting an amazing century that included seven fours and 10 big sixes. The batter began sharply in the powerplay and didn’t look back. The likes of Suryakumar Yadav (21) and Tilak Varma (33) also contributed few runs. Notably, Sanju and Varma scored 77 runs together before the team faltered badly, scoring just 40 runs in the final six overs. What at one time appeared to be 225+ runs was reduced to 202/8 in 20 overs.
For the home team, it was a difficult outing with the willow since no batter could bat for an extended amount of time. Ryan Rickelton (21), Heinrich Klassen (25) and David Miller (18) were the only ones who scored few runs, while others just had a negative audition prior of the Indian Premier League (IPL) player auction. Gerald Coetzee (23) hit a couple home runs at the end, but he, too, was eventually run out. The team wrapped up for just 141 runs in 17.5 overs.
For India with the ball, spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi were the top stars as both grabbed three wickets each. Avesh Khan managed to take two wickets, while Arshdeep Singh also got one.
For SA, Gerald Coetzee scalped three wickets, while one wicket each was picked up by Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Nqabayomzi Peter, and Patrick Kruger.
With this result, India have secured the lead in the four-match series.
Scorecard:
India: 202/8, Overs 20, Sanju Samson 107, Gerald Coetzee 3/37
South Africa: 141/10, Overs 17.5, Heinrich Klassen 25, Varun Chakaravarthy 3/25