IND vs SA: India Register 16th Consecutive Win While Chasing At Home In T20Is By Defeating South Africa In Series Opener

India National Cricket Team registered their 16th consecutive win at home while chasing the target in T20Is with an 8-wicket victory over Temba Bavuma-led South Africa National Cricket Team in the first T20I match of the three-match T20I series at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, September 28.

India won the toss and invited South Africa to bat first in the match. Pacers Arshdeep Singh and Deepak Chahar annihilated the Proteas batting unit. Together they dismissed Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs to reduce South Africa to 9/5.

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In the end, South Africa were able to post 106 for 8 on the board with the help of Keshav Maharaj (41), Wayne Parnell (24) and Aiden Markram’s (25) decent batting performances.

Chasing the target, captain Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli failed to score good runs. However, middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul added 93* runs in 63 balls to help India seal the win with 20 balls remaining.

Suryakumar Yadav smashed an incredible 50 runs off 33 balls, including 5 fours and 3 sixes, and KL Rahul, who finished off the match with a six, scored 51 runs off 56 balls, including 2 fours and 4 sixes.

It was unbelievable for Suryakumar Yadav to come out there and play those shots – India vice-captain KL Rahul

During the post-match presentation ceremony, KL Rahul asserted that the pitch at the Greenfield International Stadium was difficult for the batters. He said:

“Definitely, right up there (as the toughest pitch). We have played in some difficult conditions like this but I haven’t got runs, so this was hard work.”

KL Rahul also showered praise on India’s highest ranked T20I batter, Suryakumar Yadav, for his unbelievable batting performance in tough batting conditions. He stated:

“It was unbelievable for Surya to come out there and play those shots, we have seen how balls were flying, nipping around, two-paced and everything that can be hard for a batter that was the wicket today, and for Surya to come with that approach after the first ball that hit him, he just woke up and wanted to play his shots, be aggressive and take on the bowling. That helped me take my time and play one end.”

India have taken a 1-0 lead in the series and the second game will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, October 2.

Also Read: IND vs SA: The Wicket Was Tricky, You Learn A Lot Playing Such A Game – Rohit Sharma After 8-Wicket Win In 1st T20I vs South Africa

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