In a match that South Africa hoped would serve as revenge for their 2024 T20 World Cup final loss to the champions, India once again emerged victorious, defeating the Proteas by 61 runs in the first T20I at Kingsmead, Durban, on November 8. (Match Highlights)
It was Sanju Samson's night to remember. His back-to-back T20I centuries stole the show, as he blasted 107 off 50 balls, including 7 fours and 10 sixes. This masterful knock helped India post a commanding total of 202/9 in their 20 overs. South Africa’s chase was then derailed by a brilliant bowling display from Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy, who both claimed three wickets apiece, restricting the Proteas to just 141 all out in 17.5 overs.
With this, Sanju Samson also became the first Indian to hit back-to-back centuries in T20 Internationals.
The evening was breezy in Durban, with crosswinds sweeping across the stadium, reminding fans of the conditions in Barbados earlier this year.
India’s innings got off to a shaky start as Gerald Coetzee made an early impact, dismissing Abhishek Sharma (7 off 8 balls) off the very first delivery. However, the in-form Sanju Samson found a solid partner in Suryakumar Yadav. The pair built a strong foundation, taking India to 59/1 at the end of the powerplay (6 overs).
Samson’s destructive strokeplay was evident early on, and while Yadav contributed with a quickfire 21 off 17 balls, he was dismissed by Patrick Kruger, bringing India to 69/2.
At this point, Tilak Varma joined Samson, and together they kept the scoreboard ticking. Tilak's quick 33 off 18 balls was impressive, but his departure to Keshav Maharaj (caught by Marco Jansen) at 124/2 in the 12th over raised questions about India’s momentum.
However, then Sanju's form was reaching its peak. He reached his second consecutive T20I century, bringing up a stunning 107 off 50 balls. This century also marked the fastest by an Indian against South Africa in T20Is.
But as the innings wore on, Samson’s dismissal came in the 15th over when Nqabayomzi Peter bowled a shorter delivery, and Tristan Stubbs made a stunning catch in the deep to dismiss the centurion.
Soon after, Hardik Pandya (2 off 6) was also dismissed, as Coetzee struck again. Rinku Singh (11 off 10) followed shortly, leaving India at 175/5 in the 16th over.
India’s last five overs produced only 35 runs, with wickets falling regularly, and the final total of 202/9 seemed a good, but defendable score for the bowlers to work with.
And when it came to hunt for the leather, India’s bowlers came out with a clear plan and executed it brilliantly. Arshdeep Singh got the breakthrough early by dismissing Aiden Markram for just 8 runs. But it was Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi who really took control of the match.
Bishnoi's googly went exceptional as he bowled a spell of 3/28 in 4 overs. He also delivered five consecutive dot balls to David Miller in the 11th over, building the pressure that led to a brilliant performance from Varun Chakravarthy. The two spinners combined to take 6 wickets in the middle overs.
Varun struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Heinrich Klaasen (25 off 22) and David Miller (18 off 22) in the same over, reducing South Africa to 87/6 by the 12th over.
The Proteas’ chase was all but over at that point, and despite a fighting cameo from Gerald Coetzee (22 off 10), India wrapped up the innings at 141 all out in 17.5 overs.
South Africa's heartbreak from the 2024 T20 World Cup final continues, as they struggle to avenge that loss in their own backyard.
Now, both India and South Africa will go head to head in their second T20I match on November 10, Sunday at the St George's Oval in Port Elizabeth at 7:30 PM IST.
