South Africa v India, 1st T20I Review: India Thrash Hosts as Bhuvneshwar and Shikhar Shine in Lop Sided Affair

Team India continued their dominant run in the limited-overs leg of the South African tour after winning the opening T20I in Johannesburg by 28 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the 3 match series. It was a brilliant 5 wicket haul by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and a sensational knock of 72 of 39 deliveries from Shikhar Dhawan which were instrumental in India’s victory.

Rohit Sharma began with some remarkable shots but couldn’t quite continue and was dismissed on 21 of just 9 deliveries. His partner Shikhar Dhawan, on the other hand, kept going and smashed some delightful shots. Suresh Raina who made a comeback in this encounter began well with a six and a four but again a reckless shot cost him and the team dearly as debutant Junior Dala bagged the opening two wickets.

Dhawan kept going for the big shots and connected on a consistent basis. His innings of 72 of just 39 deliveries was decorated with 10 hits to the fence and two maximums. Captain Virat Kohli had a rare failure and was dismissed by Tabraiz Shamsi on 27 runs of 20 deliveries. He was struck plumb in front from a wrong one which defeated him in the air.

Manish Pandey, on the other hand, played a good hand but couldn’t quite execute the big shots on a consistent basis. Dhoni faced 11 deliveries and scored 16 which included a couple of boundaries. It was Hardik Pandya who struck two fours to get India over the 200 runs mark in their 20 overs. Dhawan was the top scorer while Junior Dala was the pick of the Proteas bowlers.

South African openers JJ Smuts and Reeza Hendricks began quite well and shared a 29 runs stand before Smuts dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. India kept on the good work and bagged two more wickets in quick succession to peg back the hosts. Despite some sensational hitting by Reeza Hendricks South Africa was also behind the game.

Despite a brilliant stand between Ferhaan Behardien and Hendricks South Africa failed to press on accelerator towards the later stages. Behardien scored a fluent 36 while Henricks made a sensational 70. It was Bhuvneshwar Kumar who was simply brilliant in the dying stages as he ended his spell with sensational figures of 5/24 in his allotted 4 overs.

Brief Scores

India 203/5 in 20 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 72, Junior Dala 2/49)

South Africa 175/9 in 20 overs (Reeza Hendricks 70, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 5/24)

India won by 28 runs