The first match of the three-match T20 series played between India and South Africa took place at the Green Field International Cricket Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. India defeated South Africa by 8 wickets in this match. With this win, the Indian team took a 1-0 lead in the series. KL Rahul’s 51* and Suryakumar Yadav’s 50* played an important role in the team’s victory.
South African batsmen struggled to score against Arshdeep Singh and Deepak Chahar’s aggressive bowling. Batting first after losing the toss, South Africa gave the Indian team a target of 107 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs. Arshdeep took 3 wickets for 32 runs in 4 overs. Keshav Maharaj got the highest score of 41runs for South Africa.
Wayne Parnell and Markram handled the situation with a 33-run partnership of 33 balls for the sixth wicket. Markram was dismissed for 25 runs in 24 balls then Maharaj and Parnell shared 26 runs in 47 balls for the seventh wicket. After that, the pair of Maharaj and Rabada got quick runs. Both of them added 33 runs in 20 balls for the eighth wicket and that’s how South Africa’s team could only score 106 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 8 wickets.
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul start the chase, in the third over Indian captain Rohit was sent to the pavilion by Kagiso Rabada without opening the account. After this, Enrique Nortje made Virat Kohli his victim on his very first ball. Kohli got out after scoring 3 runs in 9 balls. Surya and Rahul completed their half-century partnership in 39 balls. After 13 overs the score was 77 for 2 wickets. Suryakumar Yadav scored 50 and KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 51. With this, India thrashed South Africa by 8 wickets in the first T20I and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
