Suryakumar & KL Rahul Take India To 8-Wicket Win Against South Africa In 1st T20I

India scored 110/2 in reply to South Africa's 106/8 in the first T20I of the three-match series.

Cricket Image for Suryakumar & KL Rahul Take India To 8-Wicket Win Against South Africa In 1st T20I (Image Source: BCCI)

IND vs SA 1st T20I: After an impressive bowling performance, Indian batters Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul batted responsibly and carefully as India registered an 8-wicket win against South Africa in the 1st T20I. India are now 1-0 up in the 3-match series against South Africa after completing a successful run chase in 16.4 overs. India scored 110/2 in reply to South Africa's 106/8. 

Chasing a low target of 107, India started off carefully against lethal bowling by South Africa, scoring just 17 runs in the powerplay. Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a 2-ball duck by Rabada in the third over while Virat Kohli was dismissed on the first delivery of the 7th over after scoring 3 runs. 

From thereon, opener KL Rahul and #4 batter Suryakumar Yadav held the crease as they carefully chased down the total with 20 balls remaining. KL Rahul remained not out after scoring 51 runs in 56 balls with 2 fours & 4 sixes, finishing the match with a six. Suryakumar Yadav remained not out for 50 runs in 33 balls with 5 fours & 3 sixes, etching an unbroken partnership of 93 runs in 63 balls to take team India to victory. 

For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje picked up 1 wicket each. In the first innings, Indian bowlers bamboozled the South African batters, restricting them to 106//8 in 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh was the centre of attraction as he grabbed three wickets in his first over of the match.

After being put in to bat first, South Africa lost their first wicket in the form of captain Temba Bavuma (0) by Deepak Chahar in the first over of the innings. In the second over, Arshdeep dismantled the South African batting, dismissing Quinton de Kock (1), Rilee Rossouw (0) and David Miller (0). 

South Africa were at 9/5 in 2.3 overs after which Aiden Markram and Wayne Parnell etched a partnership of 33 runs for the 6th wicket. Markram was dismissed with a brilliant DRS call after scoring 25 runs. Parnell then etched a partnership of 26 runs for the 7th wicket.

Keshav Maharaj was the top scorer as he also etched a partnership of 33 runs for the 8th wicket before getting dismissed by Harshal Patel after scoring 41 runs. For India, Arshdeep Singh grabbed three wickets while Deepak Chahar and Harshal Patel managed 2 wickets each. Axar Patel also picked up a wicket.

Earlier, India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss & opted to bowl first against South Africa in the 1st T20I. This match is being played at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.

Brief Score:

• South Africa - 106/8 (Maharaj - 41(35), Arshdeep - 3/32)
• India - 110/2 in 16.4 overs (Rahul - 51*(56), Rabada - 1/16)