Thanks to steller batting performance by Indian opener Shikhar D✃hawan and pacer Bhuvnes♋hwar Kumar, India managed to beat South Africa in a thrilling match by 28 runs.
South African skipper JP Duminy won the toss and invited India to bat first. India started well with Shikhar Dhawan๊ scoring 72 runs in 39 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes). At the end, India managed to put up a total of 203 runs in 20 overs.
For South Africa, Reeza Hendricks smashed 70 runs in 50 balls, but it was Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar who stole the show, picking up five wickets. He became the first Indian pacer to take a five-wicket haul in a T20I match. At the end of 20 overs, South Africa were 175/9, losing by 28 runs. Bhuvi was named the ‘Man of the Match’ for his brilliant performance.
Here is how Twitter reacted to India’s win:
What a fantastic start to the T20I series by 🇮🇳 Excellent batting from and very clever blowing by to wrap things up. Let's aim for more such performances.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
Well begun is half done.⭕ Great start to the T20 series. Great striking from and brillian𝓡t bowling by the trickster . Great victory
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
India after the test series hammering SA so convincingly like they were beating Sri L♕anka a few months back. Ruthlessness is good to see
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Good win and an amazing spell from welcome to the club bro. Let's keep the wins coming 🇮🇳
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal)
Another emphatic win for in Sou♍th Africa. Well done boys. Congratulations to for his maiden 5-wicket haul in T20Is.
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj)
Con🅺gratulations India on another clinical victory. Brilliant innings from Shikhar and another wonderful spell from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a five wicket haul.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Bhuvi's 5-fer changed the equation for who win the 1st T20I by 28 runs and take the lead in the 3-match series. 🙌
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
It’s all over! 🇿🇦 kept fighting but it’s 🇮🇳 who come out with flying colours! win the 1st T20I againstও by 28 runs and go take a 1-0 lead in the 3-ma♉tch T20I series. Well played, Sheron!
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL)
A career-best spell of 5/24 from ensures India's win in the first T20I!
It w🌠as yet another♑ clinical performance from the .
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals)
🇮🇳 – 203/5, win by 28 runs
🇿🇦 – 175/9A thumping victory for as they go 1-0 up in the T20I series. Dhawan's prolific batting (72) and Bhuvneshwar's 5-fer (5/24) didn't let the Proteas get anywhere close to the target!
PC : BCCI
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders)
India triumph against South Africa again! This time it's in the shorter format, and this time it's by 28 runs in Johannesburg! They take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series. Scorecard ➡️
— ICC (@ICC)
Congratulations to on winning the first match by 28 runs. Brilliant innings from and Congrats on becoming 1st indian to tඣake a five wicket haul in T20 .
— Daler Mehndi (@dalermehndi)
Pe🉐rformance at its best! To a cricket fan, today is what a happy day looks like! Spectacular bowling by !! Congratulations !!
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor)
