Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh played a starring role in India’s victory with a magnificent spell in the first innings.
After being put in to bat first, South Africa’s top order collapsed like a pack of cards. Deepak Chahar (2/24) and Arshdeep Singh (3/32) produced a fine swing bowling exhibition, leaving the visitors reeling at 9/5 in 2.3 overs.
Keshav Maharaj (41) and Wayne Parnell (24) played useful knocks down the order and helped South Africa post 106/8.
In response, the Men in Blue lost Rohit Sharma (0) and Virat Kohli (3) with just 17 on the scoreboard to find themselves in a tricky situation.
Suryakumar Yadav (50 off 33 balls) then settled the nerves soon after with his trademark aggressive brand of play. The Mumbaikar announced his arrival at the crease with two consecutive sixes in the seventh over and never looked back.
KL Rahul (51 off 56 balls) played second fiddle to Suryakuamar during their unbeaten 93-run partnership. He ensured the team’s safe passage to the winning shores after overcoming turbulence earlier in the innings. He finished things off in style with a six in the 17th over.
Speaking to the broadcaster after the match, Indian vice-captain KL Rahul reflected on his match-defining partnership with Suryakumar Yadav. He said:
He added:
Fans react to India’s win against South Africa
Cricket fans on social media enjoyed the low-scoring encounter between India and South Africa on Wednesday. They expressed their reactions through some engaging memes on social media.
Here is a collection of the best memes related to the first T20I:
Both teams will now travel north and lock horns in the second T20I of the series on Sunday, October 2, at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
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