#Bhuveshwar #Kumar takes his 5 wicket haul and #Shikhar #Dhawan scores vital 72 runs in the 1st #T20I
India continues their dominance in the shorter format, after winning the ODI series 5-1 Kohli and his men have started off the T20I series with a bang.
But the South Africans get a huge blow ahead of the first T20I match, AB De Villers was ruled out of the T20I series due to injury.
His absence has affected South Africa in the first T20I match, even though the hosts won the toss and asked India to bat first, they couldn’t win the match.
Their young bowlers didn’t do much, South Africa missed Morne Mokel, Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada.
India had a decent start to their innings, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan added 23 runs in just 1.5 overs, but this partnership wasn’t big as it should have been.
Junior Dala dismissed Hit Man for 15 runs, Dala picked up his maiden T20I wicket. Rohit Sharma again failed to convert his start, he was caught behind.
Suresh Raina’s comeback wasn’t worth remembering. He started off well, but he didn’t use this opportunity to play a long hand. He was dismissed after his little cameo. Raina was caught and bowled by Junior Dala for 15 runs.
Skipper Kohli batted at number 4 in this match, he and Dhawan again looked good just like the ODI series.
These two added 59 runs for the fourth wicket, which stabilized the innings for a while.
But Tabraiz Shamsi came good this time, the spinner caught Kohli plumb in front. Skipper Kohli was dismissed for 26 runs.
Dhawan was still there, India needed him to bat till the end. But Phehlukwayo ended the innings of Dhawan for a well made 72 runs.
Manish Pandey stepped up and played a finishing role for his side.
Even after MS Dhoni was out early, Pandey was there till the 20th over.
MS Dhoni again couldn’t get going, his struggle continued. He managed only 13 runs. He was clean bowled by Chris Morris.
Hardik Pandya and Manish Pandey made sure that India will go pass the 200 run mark.
Eventually India ended their 20 overs with 203 runs on the board.
The South African bowlers did a fair job, they missed Mornel, Rabada and Ngidi badly.
Their inexperience bowling attack allowed India to get 200 runs on the board.
Junior Dala picked up 2 wickets, Chris Morris, Tabraiz Shamsi and Andile Phehlukwayo picked up 1 wicket each for South Africa.
The chase wasn’t a great one for the hosts, the likes of skipper JP Duminy, David Miller and Chris Morris didn’t fire for them.
Chasing a target of 204 to win the first T20I, South Africa didn’t start well.
They missed Hashim Amla at the top order. Their batsmen were also inexperienced that hurt the South Africans.
After having a well deserved rest, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was on song.
He dismissed JJ Smuts for just 18 runs. Smuts was caught by Shikhar Dhawan.
Skipper Jean Paul Duminy again failed to use his experience at number 3 position. In the span of 2 overs, Bhuvi dismissed JP Duminy for just 3 runs.
David Miller too didn’t last long in front of Hardik Pandya. Miller was caught by Dhawan for just 9 runs.
Reeza Hendricks was still battling out there for South Africa.
After losing top 3 batsmen quickly, Hendricks and Farhaan Behardien shared a gusty partnership.
Their 81 run partnership was the only 50 plus stand in their innings, but it didn’t prove enough for South Africa to win the game.
This gusty partnership was ended when Farhaan Beherdien was caught by Manish Pandey for 38 runs. Yuzvendra Chahal broke this partnership and allowed India to win the game.
South Africa got a huge blow when their batsmen in-form Reeza Hendricks was caught behind by Dhoni. Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Hendricks for well made 70 runs.
In the same over Bhuvneshwar also picked up the wicket of Heinrich Klaasen. He was caught by Raina for 16 runs.
Chris Morris continued his poor form with the bat. He scored a golden duck in this T20I match.
And then Dane Paterson was the last man run out for just 1.
Junior Dala was not out on 1 and Tabraiz Shamsi was not out on 0.
South Africa reached their 20 over mark with just 175 runs on the board.
The India bowlers bowled tremendously, apart from the 81 run partnership the Indian bowlers were on the mark.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the star of the match. He picked up his maiden 5 wicket haul in T20I. His match figures were, in 4 overs he gave only 24 runs and he took 5 wickets.
Jaydev Unadkat, Hardik Pandya and Yuzvendra Chahal picked up 1 wicket each to their name.
India wins the 1st T20I by 28 runs, Kohli and co lead the 3 match T20I series 1-0.
Man of the match was awarded to Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his outstanding bowling performance.
The second T20I game will be played on Wednesday 21st February 2018 at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
