Thiruvananthapuram: In the first T20 International played here on Wednesday, the Indian team made South Africa 106 for 8 with the help of Keshav Maharaj’s aggressive innings amid fast bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Deepak Chahar’s fast swing bowling, Suryakumar Yadav and K.L. Rahul’s not out half-centuries and a not out partnership of 93 runs between the two took them for 2 wickets in 16.4 overs to win by 8 wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Team India lost the two wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli with a score of 17 runs. After that, Surya scored 50 runs in 33 balls and Rahul played a not out innings of 51 runs in 56 balls to take the Indian team to victory.
- Keshav Maharaj’s innings helped South Africa score 106 for 8 after the killer bowling of the Indian bowlers led by Arshdeep.
- After the wickets of Rohit and Virat fell quickly, Suryakumar and KL Rahul put on a not out partnership of 93 runs to win the team in 16.4 overs.
After the Indian team won the toss and decided to field, left-handed bowler Arshdeep and Chahar’s killer bowling saw South Africa lose their five wickets for just 9 runs. After that, Markram and Parnell’s partnership took the score to 41 runs. Markram was dismissed for 25 and Parnell for 24 runs. After that, Maharaj played an innings of 41 runs in 35 balls. On behalf of India, Arshdeep took 3 wickets while Chahar and Harshal Patel took 2 each and Akshar Patel took 1 wicket.