Winning run continues

Johannesburg, February 18

India’s domination in the limited-overs format continued as they cantered to a 28-run victory over South Africa in the first T20 International, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, here today. Shikhar Dhawan smashed his fourth T20 half-century, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in T20I to emerge as the architects of the victory at the Wanderers.

Dhawan smashed a 39-ball 72, studded with 10 fours and two sixes, to power India to a challenging 203/5 after South Africa won the toss and elected to field. Kumar then returned figures of 4-0-24-5 to restrict South Africa to 175/9, despite opener Reeza Hendricks’s 50-ball 70-run innings.

Chasing 204, South Africa made a quick start with opener Jon-Jon Smuts (14) and Hendricks putting on 29 off 17 balls as Jaydev Unadkat (1/33) was expensive in his opening spell. Smuts skied one off Kumar and Dhawan took a well-judged catch at mid-on. Two overs later, Suresh Raina took a fine catch running back from mid-wicket to send back JP Duminy (3) off Kumar. Another skier, this time off David Miller’s bat (9), was taken by Dhawan as Hardik Pandya (1/45) reduced South Africa to 48/3.

With a mountain to climb, Hendricks was joined by Farhaan Behardien, who smacked 39 off 27 balls, inclusive of three fours and two sixes. He put on 81 runs for the fourth wicket with Hendricks and brought some measure of stability to the South African innings. Hendricks reached his maiden T20I half-century off 37 balls. Yuzvendra Chahal (1/39) took some stick, but finally managed to dismiss Behardien, getting breakthrough India were looking for. Heinrich Klaasen (16) threw his bat around as the Proteas crossed 150. But Kumar  returned to deal them a quick double blow, removing both Klaasen and Hendricks in the space of four balls. 

AB ruled out of T20 series 

South Africa’s injury woes continued with their star batsman AB de Villiers ruled out of the three-match T20I series due to a knee injury here today. De Villiers had suffered a blow to his left knee a day before the fifth ODI. “He suffered a blow to the knee while batting ahead of the fifth ODI, and although he passed a fitness test on Friday, the injury worsened significantly throughout the match,” said Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa’s team manager. — Agencies