Highlights, India vs South Africa 2018, 1st T20I at Johannesburg, Full cricket score: Kohli and Co win by 28 runs

Virat Kohli, India skipper: Shikhar was outstanding with the bat, batted for a long period. I chipped in with a few, Hardik chipped in with a few. Then with the ball, Bhuvi, Chahal, Jassie, so all in all it was a good team effort, and this was a very balanced team performance. South Africa bowled really well in the last two-three overs. Good thing was we were scoring at over 10 throughout the innings, and 204 turned out to be a winning total. Basic message was we have to be here till the 25th, and we wanted to make the most of the time we have here. Lot of fresh faces helps as well. You want to establish yourself as an all-format player.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the Man of the Match for his maiden fifer in T20Is 

Bhuvi: Of course, it is amazing to get a fifer in T20Is. I just wanted to bowl good lengths and that was the end result. We wanted to take pace off the ball and that really worked for us. When you do well in tough conditions, you always enjoy your cricket. (On his new delivery Knuckeball with the seam up) That is a new ball I’m trying to bowl since a year. It is necessary to figure out new ways for wickets.

JP Duminy, South African captain: Obviously very disappointed. I was quite happy with the powerplay even though they went for a few. We didn’t put together any partnerships. Myself and Davey some soft dismissals. Not getting the line right, you’re obviously going to get hit. (On fielding lapses) Not pointing any fingers, and we’ve got to make sure we work hard. 200-plus is definitely chaseable, but unfortunately, we couldn’t put up any partnerships.

Yes, Virat Kohli scored 500-plus. Yes, Chahal-Yadav took 33 wickets. Yes, Bumrah has had a breakthrough trip. 

But… Bhuvneshwar Kumar… India’s MVP on this tour, and mostly everywhere overseas. 

India’s momentum continues… 1-0 up in the T20 series and can wrap it up in Centurion. But it won’t be easy. South Africa look like they can compete more in this format.

India’s last five T20Is:

W, W, W, W, W

After 20 overs,South Africa 175/9 ( Junior Dala 2 , Tabraiz Shamsi 0)

Phehlukwayo gets a thick outside edge that carries the ball all the way to the third man fence at the start of the final over. He guidesthe ball towards deep midwicket for a double two balls later. Phehlukwayo perishes off the fourth ball, getting a leading edge off a slower ball that he lobs over to Chahal at backward point. Shamsi walks out to bat, and misses the last two deliveries. 

India pull off a 28-run victory to go 1-0 up in the series.

OUT! Phehlukwayo lobs the ball over to Chahal at backward point while looking for a big hit, and has to walk back for an eight-ball 13. Will SA bat their 20 overs out or not? Was a slower ball from Unadkat that deceived the all-rounder. SA 175/9

Phehlukwayo c Chahal b Unadkat 13(8)

FOUR! Phehlukwayo edges a full delivery from Unadkat towards the third man fence for a four — his second of the innings so far. SA 173/8

Unadkat returns for the final over. SA need 35 off it.

After 19 overs,South Africa 169/8 ( Andile Phehlukwayo 7 , Junior Dala 2)

Phehlukwayo edges a high full-toss from Bumrah that is adjudged a no-ball, with the ball running away to the third man fence at the same time. Bumrah keeps it tight for the remainder of the over, giving away just singles, with 10 coming off the over. Meanwhile, injured Indian player Kuldeep is sledging Shamsi in the dug-out, with the latter padded up to walk out next.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar becomes the first Indian pacer to take atleast a five-wicket haul in all three formats of international cricket.

Love watching Bhuvneshwar in these situations. Very clever.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 18, 2018

FOUR! And it’s also a no-ball due to height, as Phehlukwayo guides a high full toss towards the third man fence for a four, and he will also be facing the free-hit after this. SA 164/8

Fiver for Bhuvi… India’s MVP on this tour.

Jasprit Bumrah returns to the attack for the penultimate over of the innings, with Junior Dala the new batsman. SA need 45 off the last two overs.

Bowlers to take a 5-for against South Africa in T20Is:

5/6 – Umar Gul, Centurion, 2013 

5/19 – Ahsan Malik, Chittagong, 2014

5/24 – BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR, Wanderers, 2018*

South Africa now falling like nine-pins… 23000-plus at the Wanderers today and predominantly Indian fans… they are erupting with every wicket here.

After 18 overs,South Africa 159/8 ( Andile Phehlukwayo 0 , )

Bhuvneshwar returns to the attack for his final over, and gets rid of Hendricks off his very first delivery, with the batsman getting a thick outside edge that lobs the ball high up in the air for a simple catch to Dhoni. Klaasen grabs a double off each of the next two deliveries, before holing out to Raina at long-on to depart for 16. Morris is the next man in, and is dismissed for a golden duck in a manner that is nearly identical to the dismissal of Klaasen. Wicket off the last wicket of the over, as Paterson runs himself out while coming back for a risky second run. Five runs and four wickets off the over, as Bhuvneshwar walks away with career-best figures  of 5/24, virtually ending the game in his last over.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar becomes the second Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in T20Is. The first one was Yuzvendra Chahal.

OUT! It’s a team-hat-trick as Paterson runs himself out off the first delivery that he faces, trying to come back for a risky second run, challenging himself against the pair of Pandya and Dhoni! SA 159/8

Paterson run out (Pandya/Dhoni) 1(1)

OUT! A five-for for Bhuvneshwar — his first in T20Is! Morris walks out, and miscues the ball straight down the ground to offer Raina another catch, this one not as easy. Bhuvi’s on a hat-trick as Morris walks back for a golden duck! SA 158/7

Morris c Raina b Bhuvneshwar 0(1)

OUT! What a spell this has turned out to be for Bhuvneshwar, as Klaasen doesn’t quite middle his slog to send the ball down Raina’s throat at long-on. Bhuvneshwar’s figures currently read 4/23 — his career-best! SA 158/6

Klaasen c Raina b Bhuvneshwar 16(8)

Most catches by wicket-keepers in T20 cricket:

134 – MS DHONI*

133 – Kumar Sangakkara 

123 – Dinesh Karthik

OUT! End of what was a class innings from Hendricks, as he gets a thick top-edge that sends the ball high up in the air over Dhoni, resulting in the simplest of catches! SA 154/5

Hendricks c Dhoni b Bhuvneshwar 70(50)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to the attack in the 18th over, with South Africa needing another 50 to win off the last 18 deliveries.

After 17 overs,South Africa 154/4 ( Reeza Hendricks 70 , Heinrich Klaasen (W) 12)

Pandya returns to the attack in the 17th over, and walks away after conceding a massive 15-run over, one that not only keeps the Proteas in the hunt, but also ends his quota on a disappointing note as he finishes with figures of 1/45. Klaasen joins the party now, as he smacks a six and a four off the last two deliveries of the over.

South Africa have lost only one match out of eight at New Wanderers Stadium in T20Is while chasing before today.

FOUR! Now Klaasen makes room, and carves the ball over short third man to end the 17th over with a boundary! SA 154/4

SIX! Launched down the ground by Klaasen, getting his first big hit in the process! SA 150/4

Virat Kohli has a left hip problem. Being monitored by physio. Team management says ’nothing serious'.

Hardik Pandya returns to the attack in the 17th over of the innings. South Africa need 65 to win from the last 24 balls.

After 16 overs,South Africa 139/4 ( Reeza Hendricks 68 , Heinrich Klaasen (W) 1)

Hendricks lofts the ball down the ground off the second delivery of the innings, collecting his seventh boundary in the process. Two singles collected off the next three deliveries, with new batsman Klaasen getting off the mark off the first delivery that he faces, Hendricks ends the over by picking out the gap between backward point and short third man to collect his eighth boundary.

FOUR! Squeezed away Hendricks, picking the gap between backward point and short third man, ending the over by collecting his eighth boundary! SA 139/4

FOUR! Creamed over mid-off  by Hendricks off a full delivery from Bumrah! SA 133/4

81-run partnership is broken… brings Klaasen to the middle. Behardien has done his job and provided a platform. This is all about bang bang now!

After 15 overs,South Africa 129/4 ( Reeza Hendricks 59 , )

Chahal returns to the attack in the 15th over. Behardien heaves the ball towards deep midwicket for a single off the second delivery. Hendricks hits towards the same region, but a fumble by Pandya allows the batsman to come back for a second. Hendricks gets a thick outside edge that lobs the ball over backward point and away to the fence. Chahal finally gets a wicket off his last ball of the day, as Behardien mis-hits off the toe-end of his bat to get caught by Pandey at long-on. Eight runs and a wicket off the over, as Klaasen walks out to bat.

OUT! Chahal finally breaks the 81-run fourth-wicket stand, as Behardien miscues off the toe-end of his bat while looking for a slog, with Pandey taking a simple catch at long-on! SA 129/4

Behardien c Pandey b Chahal 39(27)

FOUR! Hendricks shuffles down the pitch, and gets a thick outside edge that lobs the ball over backward point, and away to the fence. SA 128/3

Virat Kohli has left the field for a while, and it seems Dhoni is in charge for now. Meanwhile, Chahal returns to the attack in the 15th over.

Virat Kohli off the field at the moment… Rohit is in charge…

After 14 overs,South Africa 121/3 ( Reeza Hendricks 52 , Farhaan Behardien 38)

Bumrah returns to the attack, and is instantly greeted by Behardien with a flick towards the midwicket fence for a six. Single off the next ball. Perfect yorker to Hendricks off the third, with the batsman barely able to do anything about it. Interesting variations in pace from Bumrah in this over, as he keeps the batsmen guessing after the six, conceding just three more singles thereafter.

SIX! Wonderful timing from Behardien, as he flicks a full delivery from Bumrah away to the midwicket fence! SA 118/3

Jasprit Bumrah returns to the attack in the 14th over of the innings, replacing Chahal after the leggie’s 14-run over.

Maiden half-century for Hendricks… South Africa still in this game. Soon, it will time to go big or go home though. Expect it to start shortly.

After 13 overs,South Africa 112/3 ( Reeza Hendricks 51 , Farhaan Behardien 30)

Behardien cuts the ball past backward point off the second delivery of the over to collect his third boundary. Collects a single off the fourth delivery to bring Hendricks back on strike. The opening batsman collects a double off each of the last two deliveries to bring up his maiden T20I fifty. Nine off the over.

FIFTY for Reeza Hendricks — his first in international cricket — and he gets to the milestone with a double off the 37th delivery that he faces. SA 112/3

FOUR! Swatted away through the off-side by Behardien! Beats the fielder stationed at backward point! SA 107/3

Jaydev Unadkat returns to the attack in the 13th over of the innings.

After 12 overs,South Africa 103/3 ( Reeza Hendricks 47 , Farhaan Behardien 25)

Behardien reverse-sweeps off the second delivery of the over, guiding the ball towards the third man fence. An under-pressure Chahal concedes a wide next ball. Brings Hendricks back with a single off the next delivery, with the opening batsman smacking back-to-back fours to bring up the 100 for the Proteas as well as the fifty-stand. 14 off the over.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Hendricks, and he is bringing the required run-rate down for the South Africans now! Brings up the 100 for his side with that shot! SA 103/3

FOUR! Hendricks shuffles to his right, and slog-sweeps this one towards the midwicket fence! Fine way for him to bring up the fifty-stand with Behardien! SA 99/3

FOUR! Reverse-swept away by Behardien towards the third man fence, beating the fielder stationed inside the circle! SA 93/3

After 11 overs,South Africa 89/3 ( Reeza Hendricks 39 , Farhaan Behardien 20)

Hendricks guides the ball towards the leg side off the third delivery, rushing back for a second run. Singles collected off every other delivery except the last, which goes for a four off Hendricks’ bat. 10 off the over. The fourth-wicket stand now starting to frustrate the Indians.

FOUR! Whipped away towards the backward square-leg fence by Hendricks off the last ball of the 11th over! SA 89/3

After 10 overs,South Africa 79/3 ( Reeza Hendricks 31 , Farhaan Behardien 18)

Behardien shuffles forward, and smashes the ball for a straight six off the second delivery of the over. Guides the ball towards extra-cover off the next delivery, coming back for a second run with no one guarding the non-striker’s stumps. 11 off the over, with the partnership for the fourth wicket now worth 31.

30-run partnership… getting some semblance of control back into the South African innings. But still a mountain to climb…

SIX! Authority written all over that shot, as Behardien shuffles forward, and smashes it for a straight six! SA 75/3

After 9 overs,South Africa 68/3 ( Reeza Hendricks 29 , Farhaan Behardien 9)

Superb stop and throw by Chahal after a drive off Hendricks’ bat to reduce a potential boundary to a single. Behardien gets his first boundary with a tickle off the penultimate ball, sending the ball scurrying away to the long-leg fence. Seven off the over.

FOUR! Tickled away by Behardien towards the long-leg fence, where the diving fielder fails to stop the ball from crossing over the rope. SA 68/3

Yuzvendra Chahal took 23 wickets in T20Is last year – the most by any bowler.

After 8 overs,South Africa 61/3 ( Reeza Hendricks 27 , Farhaan Behardien 4)

Chahal gets introduced into the attack in the seventh over of the innings. Hendricks and Behardien, who gets off the mark in the previous over, stick to singles off each delivery of this over, with six coming off it.

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal introduced into the attack for the first time in the innings, replacing Bumrah.

After 7 overs,South Africa 55/3 ( Reeza Hendricks 24 , Farhaan Behardien 1)

Miller gets a thick top-edge off a short-arm pull, with the ball gaining enough velocity to travel towards the fine-leg boundary rope. Bumrah leaps up and throws the ball back inside, but his feet touch the padded cushion before he throws the ball back in. Miller however, doesn’t reach double figures, lobbing the ball high up in the air two deliveries later to get caught by Dhawan near long-on. Two singles and a wide off the next three deliveries, with the 50 coming up for the Proteas. Hendricks cuts the ball towards the backward point fence off the penultimate ball. 14 and a wicket off the over.

FOUR! Cut away powerfully by Hendricks, with the ball landing just short of the backward point boundary! SA 55/3

OUT! Miller perishes just two deliveries after getting his first six, lobbing the ball high in the air off the toe end of his bat, with Dhawan collecting his second catch of the innings, this time at long-on! The Indians will be pleased to see Miller’s back early. SA 48/3

Miller c Dhawan b Pandya 9(5)

SIX! First big hit of the innings for Miller, and this one’s not the best of shots from him. Bumrah leaps up at the fine-leg boundary rope, and unfortunately for the Indians, his feet touch the padded cushion before he throws the ball back in. As per the new laws, the last point of contact of the feet has to be on the ground inside the boundary rope before the fielder jumps to throw the ball back in. SA 47/2

Pandya introduced into the attack in the seventh over of the innings, as Bhuvneshwar gets a break.

Two great catches… from Dhawan and Raina… both had eyes on the ball… and covered good ground… clear communication… and taken. South Africa in some bother. Liking the look of a three-pace attack in T20s for India, not counting Pandya of course.

After 6 overs,South Africa 41/2 ( Reeza Hendricks 19 , David Miller 3)

Miller gets off the mark with a double of the second delivery that he faces, guiding the ball towards midwicket. Takes a single next ball to bring back Hendricks, who gets rapped on his front pad off the fourth delivery to induce an unsuccessful lbw appeal from the bowler. Three off the over. End of the powerplay, with the Proteas short of India’s total around the same stage by 37 runs.

Suresh Raina holds the record of taking most catches (33) for India in T20Is among all the fielders.

Jasprit Bumrah introduced into the attack for the last over of powerplay, replacing Unadkat. Miller, meanwhile, walks out to the crease.

After 5 overs,South Africa 38/2 ( Reeza Hendricks 19 , )

Another quality over from the Indians, as Bhuvneshwar gets rid of skipper Duminy off the last delivery while giving away just three singles off it. Pressure was starting to build over the course of the last two overs, and Duminy perished while trying to boost the scoring rate, mishitting off a knuckle ball.

OUT! Duminy heaves the ball towards deep midwicket off a knuckle delivery from Bhuvneshwar, and Raina pulls off a fine catch running in the opposite direction! Pressure was starting to build, and Duminy perishes while trying to score big. SA 38/2

Duminy c Raina b Bhuvneshwar 3(7)

After 4 overs,South Africa 35/1 ( Reeza Hendricks 17 , JP Duminy (C) 2)

Smuts’ dismissal does slam the brakes on South Africa’s somewhat, as just five runs are collected off Unadkat’s second over of the innings, with skipper Duminy getting off the mark in the over.

JP Duminy’s batting average of 57.66 against India in T20Is – his second highest against any team in T20Is.

After 3 overs,South Africa 30/1 ( Reeza Hendricks 15 , JP Duminy (C) 0)

Singles exchanged off the first two deliveries of the innings, Hendricks lofts the ball over the wide long-off boundary in an effortless stroke off the third delivery. He brings Smuts back on strike with a single off the next ball, with the latter perishing off the penultimate delivery after miscuing a knuckle ball towards Dhawan near deep midwicket. 10 runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Bhuvneshwar doesn’t wait long for his first wicket, as Smuts mishits a knuckle ball from the pacer, skieng it towards Dhawan at deep midwicket! SA 29/1

Smuts c Dhawan b Bhuvneshwar 14(9)

SIX! Sensational from Hendricks, as he simply transfers his weight forward and slogs the ball over long-off in an effortless shot! Pure timing on that occasion! SA 28/0

Smuts smacking the ball… Local journalist tells me he can really whack it.

After 2 overs,South Africa 20/0 ( JJ Smuts 13 , Reeza Hendricks 6)

Unadkat bowls from the other end. Hendricks helps himself to his first boundary with a punch through the covers off the second delivery. Wide conceded off the next ball, as Unadkat stumbles while landing during his delivery. Smuts hammers the ball towards the fence off the last two deliveries to collect back-to-back boundaries, with 14 coming off the over.

FOUR! Clobbered through the gap between mid-off and extra-cover, and Smuts is starting to dominate the Indian pacers a bit by now! SA 20/0

FOUR! Lofted over the bowler’s head by Smuts, and this one looked quite effortless from the batsman! SA 16/0

Jaydev Unadkat was the Player of the Series in India’s last T20I series against Sri Lanka.

FOUR! Punched through the off side by Hendricks, as he too gets himself a boundary. SA 10/0

Jaydev Unadkat to bowl from the other end.

After 1 over,South Africa 6/0 ( JJ Smuts 5 , Reeza Hendricks 1)

Smuts smashes Bhuvneshwar through the off side at the start of the over to get off the mark with a four. Single collected off each off the next two deliveries, with Bhuvneshwar keeping it tight for the remaining deliveries. Six off the first over.

The South African openers JJ Smuts and Reeza Hendricks are at the centre. Bhuvneshwar Kumar opens the bowling for India.

The highest target successfully chased down against India is 200. It was chased by South Africa at Dharamsala in 2015.

India just about crossing 203.. It’s all about the start for South Africa as well, though their middle order is more potent and dare one say in-form than the Indian middle order. Morris and Miller come into their own in this format, not to forget what Klaasen can do. One would say South Africa are slight favourites here given how true the pitch is playing.

India today:

First 10 overs: 110/3

Next 10 overs: 93/2

203/5 – This is India’s highest total against South Africa in T20Is. Their previous highest was 199/5 at Dharamsala in 2015.

After 20 overs,India 203/5 ( Manish Pandey 29 , Hardik Pandya 13)

Paterson bowls the final over of the innings. Wide called off a slower bouncer off the second delivery. Pandya guides the ball towards mid-on off the next ball, coming back for a second run. India breach the 200-mark with a double off the fourth delivery. Pandey and Pandya deal in ones and twos for the remainder of the over, as India finish on a massive total of 203/5 — their highest against SA in T20Is. Much better over from Paterson, not giving a single boundary away off his last over.

After 19 overs,India 194/5 ( Manish Pandey 25 , Hardik Pandya 9)

Morris bowls the penultimate over of the Indian innings, and rattles Dhoni’s leg stump off the very first delivery, with the latter missing a full-toss. Pandya walks out to bat, and has to wait just two deliveries before getting first boundary, pulling a short-of-length delivery towards the midwicket fence. Makes it back-to-back fours next ball, flicking a yorker behind square. 11 off the over, and India are within touching distance of the 200-mark.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Pandya, as he directs a yorker towards the backward square-leg fence! IND 192/5

FOUR! Pandya walks out to the crease, and doesn’t wait long to get his first boundary, pulling a short ball from Morris towards the midwicket fence! IND 188/5

BOWLED EM! Dhoni misses a full toss from Morris that is going down leg, and ends up getting the timber rattled! Just when Dhoni was starting to look dangerous, he’s sent back to the dugout. IND 183/5

Dhoni b Morris 16(11)

After 18 overs,India 183/4 ( Manish Pandey 24 , MS Dhoni (W) 16)

Pandey collects a single off the first delivery to bring Dhoni back on strike, with the latter bludgeoning the ball down the ground off the next ball to collect his second boundary. Pandey can only collect a single off the penultimate delivery after Paterson fires an accurate yorker. Dhoni keeps the strike with a single off the last ball. Eight off the over. Another two overs to go.

FOUR! Dhoni shuffles forward, and smashes a full delivery down the ground! IND 180/4

Paterson returns to the attack in the 18th over, having bowled a horror opening spell.

After 17 overs,India 175/4 ( Manish Pandey 22 , MS Dhoni (W) 10)

Dhoni heaves the ball towards third man off the first delivery to collect a couple of runs, before bringing Pandey back on strike with a single off the next. DROPPED! Pandey flicks a yorker straight to Shamsi at short fine, with the latter failing to latch on to the tough chance, and allowing the batsman a single. Three runs off the next two balls, including a wide, before Dhoni ends the over with a boundary, the first of his innings. 11 off the over.

FOUR! Finally a boundary for Dhoni, as the veteran squeezes the ball towards backward point, beating the fielder stationed there, with the ball running away to the fence. IND 175/4

Chris Morris returns to the attack, replacing, Phehlukwayo, as the Indian innings reaches its slog overs.

After 16 overs,India 164/4 ( Manish Pandey 20 , MS Dhoni (W) 2)

Pandey opens the face of his bat to a back-of-length delivery at the start of the over, coming back for a third as the ball beats short third man, and slows down just before the boundary rope. Single to Dhoni off the third delivery, before Pandey pulls the ball towards deep square-leg off the fourth for a couple of runs. Seven off the over, as Shamsi signs off with figures of 1/37.

Shamsi returns to the attack in the 16th over of the innings.

Slower ball spells end for Dhawan. Scoop shot but only as far as the keeper… magnificent T20 knock this. India’s top-order has been smoking out South Africa for the last three weeks and nothing has changed today.

After 15 overs,India 157/4 ( Manish Pandey 15 , MS Dhoni (W) 1)

Pandey collects a single off the first delivery to bring up the 150 for the visitors. Dhawan cuts the ball viciously through backward point off the third ball, before getting caught behind after failing to read a slower ball from the all-rounder, departing for a quickfire 72. Dhoni walks out to bat, and gets off the mark with a single off the first delivery.

OUT! Dhawan’s ambitions of getting his maiden T20I hundred comes to an end as he gets deceived by a slower ball from Phehlukwayo, lobbing the ball to Klaasen while getting down on one knee and attempting a ramp shot. IND 155/4

Dhawan c Klaasen b Phehlukwayo 72(39)

Most runs conceded by South African bowlers on debut:

47 – JUNIOR DALA v India, Johannesburg, 2018*

44 – Wayne Parnell v Australia, Gabba, 2009

43 – Johan Botha v Australia, Gabba, 2006

FOUR! Boy is Dhawan picking the gaps with ease! Exquisite timing on this occasion, as the left-hander cuts it through backward point after shuffling to his left to make some room for himself. IND 155/3

150 up for India… Run-rate just over 10/over at the moment. Came down from 13 at one stage… but hey, this is still a great set-up for 200-plus. Can India get there though? They have a shaky middle order. Dhawan is still the key.

After 14 overs,India 149/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 68 , Manish Pandey 13)

Dala returns to the attack in the 14th over, but there’s still no stopping Dhawan at this stage, as the southpaw opener gets two boundaries to move to 68 off 36 deliveries at the end of the over, with 11 coming off it. Dala signs off with figures of 2/47 on his international debut.

FOUR! Dhawan gets down on one knee, and sends the ball blazing away to the cow-corner fence! IND 143/3

Junior Dala returns to the attack in the 14th over of the innings, as Duminy decides to hold Shamsi back for the slog overs.

After 13 overs,India 138/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 59 , Manish Pandey 11)

Phehlukwayo is brought into the attack in the 13th over of the innings, and he is smacked for a four just two balls into his spell as Dhawan targets the midwicket fence once again. Two leg byes collected off the next ball, with the ball brushing past Dhawan’s thigh and beating the keeper, before slowing down near the long-stop boundary. Four runs collected off the last three deliveries, including singles off the last two balls.

FOUR! Dhawan once again targets the midwicket region, moving forward to dispatch the ball in that direction to seventh four. IND 132/3

Andile Phehlukwayo introduced into the attack in the 13th over of the innings, replacing Smuts in the attack.

Shikhar Dhawan’s fifty of 27 balls today – the fastest by an Indian against South Africa in T20Is. The previous fastest was in 32 balls by Rohit Sharma at Durban in 2011

Fifty for Dhawan… this is some form he has been having this limited-overs’ run. India’s big hope to get 220 here… but wait there is a DRS appeal for lbw as I type this… The appeal is against Pandey, who is on backfoot… but the ball is turning towards leg this time a tad more than it was against Virat… umpire’s call and the decision stays not out.

After 12 overs,India 128/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 52 , Manish Pandey 10)

Pandey slogs the ball down the ground, with the ball travelling over Phehlukwayo’s outstretched hand near the long-off boundary. Dhawan pulls the ball towards the midwicket boundary for a four two deliveries later, bringing up his fourth T20I fifty in style. Another massive appeal from Shamsi for lbw, this time against Pandey, and the Proteas decide to review after the umpire turns it down. They retain their review, with the ball shown to be clipping the top of middle and leg, resulting in umpires call. 12 off the over.

FOUR! Pulled away towards the midwicket boundary by Dhawan, as he brings up his fourth T20I fifty in just 27 deliveries. IND 127/3

SIX! More agony for Shamsi, as Pandey lofts the ball down the ground, with the ball flying over Phehlukwayo’s outstretched hand near the long-off boundary. First big hit for Pandey. IND 122/3

After 11 overs,India 116/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 47 , Manish Pandey 3)

Quiet over for the Indians, with Dhawan and Pandey opting to keep the scoreboard ticking through the ones and twos, as six runs are collected off this over. Meanwhile, Dhawan is three short of his fourth T20I fifty.

India 110/3 in 10 overs… clearly targeting 200-plus here. The way they started and have strategised their batting line-up here, they don’t think 180-200 is par here. And the ball is flying. Meanwhile, this is a very very vital knock/series for Manish Pandey.

Shamsi gets his man… Tahir-esque celebrations from him and why not… its not every day that you get Kohli out twice in eight balls, well, almost!

After 10 overs,India 110/3 ( Shikhar Dhawan 43 , Manish Pandey 1)

Kohli and Dhawan exchange singles off the first two deliveries of the over, before Shamsi successfully appeals for an lbw against Kohli, finally dismissing the Indian skipper after a dropped chance off the previous over. Kohli tries reviewing the decision, but ends up losing it as hawkeye shows three reds. Manish Pandey walks out to bat, with the Proteas a lot more confident now, having seen the back of the rampaging Kohli early. Four runs and a wicket off the over.

India scored 100 runs in 8.2 overs – their fastest team hundred in T20Is.

OUT! Shamsi gets rid of Kohli after all, having missed out on the prized wicket due to a drop by Behardien in the previous over. This one’s a quicker delivery from the chinaman, appeals vociferously as the umpire takes his time to raise his finger, including Tahiresque celebrations from the bowler. Kohli tries reviewing, but in vain, as hawkeye shows three reds. IND 108/3

Kohli lbw Shamsi 26(20)

After 9 overs,India 106/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 41 , Virat Kohli (C) 25)

Dhawan collects a single off the first ball to bring up the fifty-stand with Kohli, with the Indian skipper following suit next ball to complete the team 100. Dhawan pulls the ball towards the midwicket fence off the fourth delivery to collect his fifth four. Another good over for the Indians, with eight coming off it.

FOUR! Pitched slightly short by Smuts, and Dhawan exhibits a lovely extension of his arms while pulling it towards the midwicket fence! IND 104/2

Fifty-partnership up between Dhawan and Kohli off the first ball of the ninth over, with the former collecting a single to bring up the milestone. IND 99/2

You don’t drop Virat Kohli. Shamsi should be inconsolable.

Jon-Jon Smuts introduced into the attack in the ninth over of the innings, replacing Morris from the Corlett Drive End.

After 8 overs,India 98/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 35 , Virat Kohli (C) 23)

Shamsi’s introduced into the attack in the eighth over, and nearly dismisses Kohli off the first ball — with Behardien dropping a sitter at long-on after a mishit by Kohli. The Indian skipper makes them pay for the dropped chance, as hits a four and a six later in the over, with 14 coming off it.

SIX! Kohli is making the Proteas pay for the dropped chance, shuffling forward and lofting the ball down the ground for a straight six! IND 96/2

Brilliant over from Morris. Tied up batsmen and then erred on the last ball… Too much space and bang! Suddenly India still had 6 from that over.

FOUR! Kohli’s dropped by Behardien at long-on off the first ball, and cuts the next one behind square to rub salt into the wounds for the Proteas. IND 88/2

Tabraiz Shamsi introduced into the attack in the eighth over of the innings, replacing Dala from the Golf Course End.

After 7 overs,India 84/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 34 , Virat Kohli (C) 10)

Wide conceded off the second delivery, as Morris strays down the leg side while bowling to Kohli. The Indian skipper brings Dhawan back on strike with a single off the fourth ball. Dhawan carves the ball through square on the off-side with a boundary off the last ball. Six off the over.

FOUR! Dhawan ruins what would’ve been an excellent over for Morris, as he goes for a square drive that sends the ball racing away towards the fence. IND 84/2

India’s score of 78/2 in powerplay overs today – their best in T20Is. The previous best was 77/1 against Sri Lanka at Nagpur in 2009.

First six overs gone..  78/2. 180 had seemed a par score earlier but India are going for 200 here. This was a calculated move to make the powerplay count.

After 6 overs,India 78/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 30 , Virat Kohli (C) 9)

Kohli drives the ball through the cover region off the first delivery to collect his first boundary. Singles collected off the next three deliveries, before Dhawan collects a six and a four off the last two deliveries to race away to 30. Eighteen off the over, including a wide off the last delivery, and India look supreme at the end of the powerplay, scoring at 13 an over.

FOUR! This one’s carved over the cover region, as Dhawan collects a boundary off the last delivery of the powerplay. IND 78/2

SIX! Pulled away over the boundary behind square by Dhawan, as the southpaw opener looks to catch up on the scoring rate himself after a relatively sedate start. IND 73/2

FOUR! Looks like Kohli’s in his groove already, caressing the ball through the covers to collect his first boundary! IND 64/2

After 5 overs,India 60/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 19 , Virat Kohli (C) 3)

Kohli, the new batsman at the crease, gets off the mark off the third delivery that he faces with a double. Brings Dhawan back on strike with a single off the fourth delivery, with the latter smacking a four each off the last two deliveries. 11 off the over.

FOUR! Not very different from the shot off the previous delivery, though the ball isn’t as aerial, flying wide of the keeper at head height. IND 60/2

FOUR! Top-edge off Dhawan’s bat while he looks to pull this towards midwicket, with the ball crossing over the rope near the long-stop boundary after a couple of bounces. IND 56/2

Virat Kohli needs 44 runs to become the third player to score 2000 runs in T20Is after Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill. Will he achieve that feat today?

Chris Morris introduced into the attack in the fifth over, replacing Dane Paterson from the Corlett Drive End.

Raina lives and dies by the sword… short ball and top edged pull goes straight up… and he is gone.. Junior Dala has two wickets on debut. The big man walks in… Virat at the crease!

The ball is flying at Wanderers… four six already. Fourth over is yet to be completed.

After 4 overs,India 49/2 ( Shikhar Dhawan 11 , )

Dhawan pulls the ball towards the square-leg fence, collecting his first six of the innings. Two balls later, Dhawan misses while attempting another pull; Klaasen appeals again, though this time not as vociferously. Umpire signals a wide, but replays show a sizeable heartbeat as the ball brushes past Dhawan’s glove. Raina makes room to guide the ball towards backward point off the penultimate delivery, before perishing off the last ball as he skies the ball for a return catch, giving Dala his second wicket.

OUT! Dala might have missed out on a second wicket off the second delivery of the over, but eventually gets it four balls later, as Raina skies the ball while looking for another pull. Dala runs towards the striker’s end for the return catch. IND 49/2

Raina c and b Raina 15(7)

FOUR! Raina makes room for himself once again, opening the face of his bat, and sending the ball flying towards the square third man fence! IND 49/1

SIX! Pulled away over the square-leg boundary and into the stands, as Dhawan collects the first big hit of his innings! IND 43/1

After 3 overs,India 37/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 4 , Suresh Raina 11)

Suresh Raina, who finds a place in an Indian team after a year, and walks in to bat after Rohit’s dismissal, gets off the mark with a single off the third delivery. He grows in confidence off the last two deliveries though, smashing a six and a four to race away to double figures. Paterson continues to leak runs for the Proteas.

Suresh Raina last played for India before today in T20Is was in February, 2017. It was against England at Bengaluru where he made 63 runs.

And Rohit undone by that same bounce… third umpire needed to detect that edge though… probably because it is so noisy here. Raina at No 3 though… this is surprising! And the success of this move has implications not only for the World Cup but India’s T20 strategy as well.

FOUR! Raina doesn’t quite time his inside-out heave towards long-off, but fortunately for him, the fielder running towards the ball fails to pull off what would have been a stunner of a catch, with the ball rolling away to the fence. IND 37/1

Suresh Raina amassed 314 runs from nine innings at 39.25 and a strike rate of 146 with a hundred and two fifties in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

SIX! That should boost Raina’s confidence in his comeback game! Gives himself some room, and hooks a short ball from Paterson over the midwicket fence! SA 33/1

After 2 overs,India 24/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 2 , Suresh Raina 0)

Junior Dala bowls his first over in international cricket, and has to wait just four deliveries to get his maiden wicket. Rohit guides a short ball wide of the backward point fielder to collect a boundary off the second ball, but nicks one to Klaasen three deliveries later while looking for an uppercut, this time the ball being too close to the body. Six runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Rohit has to depart after an excellent start, as debutant Junior Dala has to wait just four deliveries to collect his first international wicket. Rohit done in for bounce, getting a nick while looking for an uppercut off the short ball. Funnily enough, the bowler and the umpire were the only ones who didn’t hear the nick. IND 23/1

Rohit c Klaasen b Dala 21(9)

FOUR! It’s raining boundaries for Rohit already! Gets a short one from Dala, and he guides this wide of the backward point fielder. IND 23/0

Debutant Junior Dala, who has pretty good averages in the domestic circuit, will bowl from the Golf Course End.

What a batting beauty this is turning out to be already…. what a spanking start by Rohit. Just using the bounce to efficiency!

After 1 overs,India 18/0 ( Rohit Sharma 17 , Shikhar Dhawan 1)

Paterson bowls the first over of the Indian innings, and gets whacked all over the park by Rohit Sharma as he concedes 18 runs, including two sixes and a four. Rohit seems hell bent on finding himself among the top run-getters in the T20I series after a mixed run in the ODIs.

Rohit Sharma against South Africa in T20Is: 50*, 29, 53, 25, 24, 106, 22

FOUR! Another cut by Rohit, as he sends the ball flying in the direction of the third man boundary once again, only for the ball to land just short of the boundary rope on this occasion. IND 18/0

SIX! Explosive start for Rohit, as he collects his second six in four deliveries! Pulls this one towards the fine-leg fence! IND 14/0

Rohit Sharma’s batting average of 148.00 in South Africa in T20Is – the highest for any player among players who has scored atleast 100 runs in the country in T20Is.

SIX! Dug in short from Paterson, and Rohit gets a thick edge off a cut that sends the ball flying over the third man fence! What a way to get the team off the mark! IND 6/0

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan walk out to the field at the start of the Indian innings, with Dane Paterson bowling the first over from the Corlett Drive End. 

Update: AB de Villiers has been ruled out for the entire T20I series due to a knee injury. The Proteas will be hoping for his recovery before the Australia Test series starts on 1 March.

The last four T20Is at Wanderers have been won by the team batting second. Moreover, India have won their last four T20Is.

Three changes for India. Kuldeep Yadav misses out due to injury. Left arm pacer in as Unadkat’s resurgence continues. 

Whole new look middle order..  with the return of Suresh Raina!!

One last time at the Wanderers. New start, different format… Can it make a difference…  

South African win the toss and opt to bowl.

India XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jaydev Unadkat included in the Indian XI. Unadkat comes in place of Kuldeep, who has injured his thumb.

South Africa XI: JJ Smuts, Reeza Hendricks, JP Duminy (c), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Farhaan Behardien, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Paterson, Junior Dala, Tabraiz Shamsi

AB de Villiers won’t be playing today due to a knee injury, and is being kept fit for the Australia Tests. Klaasen and Junior Dala make their debuts for the South Africans.

Toss: South Africa win the toss, and captain JP Duminy opts to bowl first.

Looks like Junior Dala is marking out his run-up. Making his international debut today and this T-shirt is thus most appropriate... pic.twitter.com/jWwzmoETDc

— stuart hess (@shockerhess) February 18, 2018

Pitch report: Nice and hot, decent cloud cover. You often get a good ODI and T20I surface at the Wanderers, and we’ve got one today. The ball should come along to the bat nicely. This should be a belter. No real movement, no real turn, the batsmen should be able to dominate, says former South African pacer Shaun Pollock in his analysis of the Wanderers track.

Sides in T20I cricket with high win% (among Test playing nations)...
win%
61.54 - India 🇮🇳
60.98 - Pakistan
59.00 - South Africa
52.53 - Australia
51.46 - Sri Lanka
50.91 - New Zealand
50.00 - West Indies
48.00 - England#SAvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 18, 2018

Sachin Tendulkar says Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal will be ‘key’ to India’s performance in overseas conditions- Firstcricket News, Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

India vs South Africa: Aiden Markram says he can learn a lot from Virat Kohli’s massive hunger for runs- Firstcricket News, Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

South Africa’s women have kept their T20 series vs India alive. Now can the men take the lead in the series opener vs India. Hot day here at Wanderers, it’s slowly filling up! #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/WONtRXrNFr

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 18, 2018

India vs South Africa ODI series report card: Virat Kohli, wrist-spinners pass with flying colours; AB de Villiers flunks- Firstcricket News, Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

India vs South Africa: After historic ODI win, ruthless visitors look to exploit Proteas’ inexperience in T20I series- Firstcricket News, Firstpost

http://www.firstpost.com

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of the first T20I between India and South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The men’s teams clash the same ground where the women’s teams faced off earlier in the day, with the Dane van Niekerk-led side pulling off a five-wicket victory to stay alive in the five-T20I series. The Indians however, start off as favourites in the men’s team, given the momentum that they have gained in their 5-1 humiliation of the hosts in the ODI series, as well as the inexperience in the Proteas ranks.