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New Delhi: Hello and welcome to India.com’s live updates of India vs South Africa 1st T20I. After demolishing South Africa in the ODIs, India are all set to clash with the hosts in three-match T20I series and the Men in Blue will be aiming to continue their good form and tighten the noose around the struggling hosts. The defeat in the Test series now seems to be a story of a distant past and having created history by thrashing South Africa 5-1 in the ODI series, the Virat Kohli-led India will aim to repeat similar performance as they did in the 2006 one-off T20I series against the Proteas.
The last time both the teams met for a bilateral series, India clinched a six-wicket victory over South Africa under Virender Sehwag. However, this time, bolstered by terrific all-around performances led by skipper Kohli, who was adjudged the Man of the Series in the recently concluded ODI series, India will hope to thrash the hosts in the three-match series.
Meanwhile, Suresh Raina’s return is the most intriguing aspect of the T20 series from an Indian point of view. He hasn’t played ODI cricket since 2015, and last featured in a T20I series twelve months ago against England.
However, the southpaw has been in great form lately as he finished sixth in the runs’ chart (314 runs in 9 matches inclusive of one hundred and two half-centuries) for Uttar Pradesh during the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
On the other hand, South Africa led by Jean-Pau Duminy in the absence of Faf du Plessis, will look to hit back at India in the shortest format of the game, under the likes of hard-hitting batsmen consisting the skipper himself, AB de Villiers, David Miller and Chris Morris, who can score some vital runs in the lower order.
Squads:
India squad: Virat Kohli (captain) Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Manish Pandey, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur.
South Africa: Jean-Paul Duminy (captain), Farhaan Behardien, Junior Dala, AB de Villiers, Reeza Hendricks, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Chris Morris, Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts. (With Agencies inputs)
Super performance this by India. They register yet another win on this tour. It was Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s bowling that helped India go one up in the series. Bhuvi finished with figures of 5/24, his best in T20Is. That’s all from this match. Do join us for second T20I. Till then, bye bye!!
India win by 28 runs! That’s it, South Africa have been restricted to 175/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
OUT! South Africa have lost their ninth wicket. Phehlukwayo departs. It is Jaydev Unadkat who picks the wicket. Phehlukwayo c Chahal b Unadkat 13(8)
So, South Africa need 35 more runs to win from last over. India all set to go one up in the three-match series.
OUT! India are in complete control now. It’s a team hat-trick. Dane Paterson is run-out. Absolute shame here for South Africa, they looked on course a while ago. Paterson run out (Hardik Pandya/Dhoni) 1(1)
OUT! Make that five for Bhuvi! He is on a hat-trick now. Chris Morris falls in similar style as Klaasen did. This is superb bowling by Bhuvi. Chris Morris c Raina b Bhuvneshwar 0(1)
OUT! Fourth wicket for Bhuvneshwar this! Klaasen hits it straight towards Suresh Raina placed at long-on. These are now best figures for Bhuvi in T20Is. Klaasen c Raina b Bhuvneshwar 16(8) [4s-1 6s-1]
OUT! Fourth wicket for Bhuvneshwar this! Klaasen hits it straight towards Suresh Raina placed at long-on. These are now best figures for Bhuvi in T20Is. Klaasen c Raina b Bhuvneshwar 16(8) [4s-1 6s-1]
OUT! Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back into the attack and he delivers straightaway. This is a big wicket for India. Hendricks is back in the hutch. Slower one by Bhuvi, Hendricks fails to get hold of it and the ball balloons high up in the air. MS Dhoni takes the catch. Hendricks c Dhoni b Bhuvneshwar 70(50)
South Africa now need 65 more runs to win from four overs. The required run-rate for the hosts is 16.25. With six wickets in hand and Hendricks still out there, South Africa will fancy their chances. SA 139/4 after 16 overs.
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