INDIA HAVE GOT off to a winning start in the T20 series with South Africa, clinching the first match comfortably by 8 wickets.
Batting first, South Africa did not put up an inspiring total. With Arshdeep Singh (3/32) and Deepak Chahar (2/24) leading the charge for Indian bowling, the Proteas were reduced to 106/8 after 20 overs. Other than Keshav Maharaj (41 off 35) and Aiden Markram (25 off 24) not many of the visitors' batsmen managed to put up a resistance.
In reply, India got off to a rocky start, losing Rohit Sharma (0 off 2) and Virat Kohli (3 off 9) early on in the innings. But it was KL Rahul (51 off 56*) and Suryakumar Yadav (50 off 33*) who stabilised the Indian innings and navigated the South African bowling attack led by Kasigo Rabada (1/16).
After showing remarkable patience throughout the first half of the chase, Rahul and Yadav started picking up the pace after they were set on the wicket and got India home with 20 balls to spare.
India will face South Africa in the second T20 International of the 3 match series on 2nd of October.