Sachin Tendulkar
Photo Credit: Web/Twitter.

After a resounding performance in the ODI series, it was time for the Men in Blue, to begin with, a bang even in the shortest format. India won the opening T20I at the Wanders in Johannesburg by 28 runs t take a 1-0 lead in the 3 match series. Riding on a brilliant knock of 72 of 39 deliveries, the visitors posted a mammoth total of 203 on the board.

It was South African skipper JP Duminy who won the toss and opted to field. Rohit Sharma stroked his way to brisk innings of 21 of 9 deliveries before Pershing. Captain Kohli had a rare failure and was dismissed on 27 of 20 deliveries. Some late blows by MS Dhoni ad Hardik Pandya propelled India over the 200 mark finishing on 203.

The bowling was led by the pace of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He returned as the wrecker in chief returning with 5/24. Opener Reeza Hendricks played a brilliant hand of 70. The hard-hitting batsman shared a brilliant stand with Ferhan Behardien who scored 39 of 27 deliveries. Just when he started flexing his muscles and got the big shots, Yuzvendra Chahal got rid of him.

Sachin Tendulkar Hails Team India Following Comprehensive Victory in 1st T20I
Shikhar Dhawan scored 72 off 39 (Credits: BCCI)

In the dying stages, it was the brilliance of Bhuvneshwar Kumar which never allowed the Proteas to force their way back. They kept losing the wicket at regular intervals. There was a time when Bhuvneshwar was on a hat-trick. However, he was denied the feat as the next batsman dismissed was a run-out.

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Master Blaster Congratulates Bhuvi and Dhawan

Following their comprehensive victory, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar took to his twitter handle to congratulate the team. He lauded Shikhar Dhawan for a terrific knock and also Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his magical spell.

“What a fantastic start to the T20I series by #TeamIndia Excellent batting from @SDhawan25 and very clever blowing by @BhuviOfficial to wrap things up. Let’s aim for more such performances. #SAvIND,” Tendulkar wrote.

Rohit Sharma player ratings
Indian batsman Rohit Sharma plays a shot during the 1st T20I cricket match between South Africa and India. (Photo credit should read CHRISTIAAN KOTZE/AFP/Getty Images)

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