Fast bowler Arshdeep Singh rattled the opposition batting on a seaming pitch to set up India's eight-wicket win over South Africa in their opening Twenty20 international on Wednesday (Sep 28). South Africa recovered from 9-5 in 2.3 overs to post 106-8 after India elected to field first at the start of the three-match series in Thiruvananthapuram.
Left-arm pace bowler Arshdeep Singh routed South Africa's top order to help India register an eight-wicket win in the first Twenty20 international. Singh took 3-32 in his four-over spell on Wednesday as India restricted South Africa to 8-106 – an unlikely total when they were reduced to 5-9 in the third over.
In reply, Suryakumar Yadav continued his fine run of pre-World Cup form by scoring 50 not out as India finished with 2-110. Lokesh Rahul made 51 not out.
Put in to bat, South Africa was reduced to 5-9 in 2.3 overs and never recovered as India's new-ball pairing of Singh and Deepak Chahar (2-24) tore through the Proteas' batting line up.
Chahar bowled Temba Bavuma for a four-ball duck and later had Tristan Stubbs (0) caught first ball.
Singh did the most damage, though, picking up three wickets in four balls in the second over of the innings.
Quinton de Kock (1) was out bowled. Then Rilee Rossouw was caught behind and David Miller bowled again, both for first-ball ducks.
Singh missed the hat-trick but South Africa's innings was in total disarray and they recorded their lowest powerplay score since 2007, 5-30.
Aiden Markram (25) played some attacking shots to up the ante. He hit three fours and a six, putting on 33 runs for the sixth wicket with Wayne Parnell (24). Harshal Patel (2-26) and Axar Patel (1-16) accounted for the two batsmen, respectively.
Keshav Maharaj's 41 off 35 balls provided some relief and took South Africa past 100. He hit five fours and two sixes to save his team from total embarrassment.
Chasing a paltry target, the Indian openers also struggled on the green-top wicket. Rohit Sharma fell for a two-ball duck to Kagiso Rabada and India recorded their lowest powerplay score in T20 cricket with with 17-1. Later, Virat Kohli (3) edged behind off Anrich Nortje, but India were never threatened.
Rahul played a patient knock and faced 56 deliveries, hitting two fours and four sixes. Then Yadav turned the tide. He batted as if on a different wicket altogether, striking five fours and three sixes during his 33-ball innings. Their 93-run unbeaten partnership off 63 balls meant India coasted home with plenty to spare.
The second T20 is in Guwahati on Sunday.
