India and South Africa have always been fierce rivals in world cricket. Their match-ups always offer up high-octane action and thrilling finishes.
South Africa have an outstanding fast bowling unit led by Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada. Furthermore, they possess an accomplished batting lineup featuring all-time great AB de Villiers.
Scorecard
South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and decided to bowl first despite some light rainfall on the field. India openers Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma displayed exceptional batting prowess by forming an unbeaten 204-run partnership that yielded three unbeaten stands during their innings of play.
Avesh Khan strikes again as South Africa trudge towards their target of 203 runs! Tristan Stubbs tried driving Avesh’s short ball outside off stump, but missed its line and saw it sail past his head, straight to Suryakumar Yadav at mid off! A wicket! WICKET! Avesh Khan removes Tristan Stubbs and puts South Africa under tremendous pressure in pursuit of this target! The ball was short pitched outside off stump and Stubbs attempted driving but failed mistimed it, sending it past him straight towards Suryakumar Yadav at mid off! WICKET! Avesh Khan delivers and puts South Africa under immense pressure as South African chase this target! Stubbs attempts driving but missed it entirely before it was bowled by Avesh Khan who bowls short pitched short outside off stump which hit Tristan Stubbs head before sailing all the way past him and straight towards Suryakumar Yadav at mid off!
Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp score runs off Asha Sobhana before the latter is caught at long-off by Pooja Vastrakar for 13 runs in an over.
Toss
India and South Africa cricket rivalry is an iconic one in international cricket’s history, from nail-biting last-over finishes to astounding displays of individual brilliance – this rivalry has provided us with some unforgettable moments that define international cricket today.
Proteas won the toss and decided to bat first, but India’s powerful batting performance and disciplined bowling proved too much for them to manage.
WICKET! Gerald Coetzee is run out by Hardik Pandya’s direct throw, sending the ball flying towards deep midwicket fencing and leaving South Africa five wickets down.
India managed to gain some momentum despite early wickets falling, thanks to Sanju Samson’s aggressive batting display and their bowlers led by Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi who controlled Proteas batting to limit them to a modest total.
First Over
At Wankhede Stadium, anticipation runs high as India and South Africa prepare to do battle in an iconic match that will be watched by billions. Led by Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen, South Africa boasts a powerful batting lineup known for their attacking approach in attack versus defence.
Bumrah strikes again: Klaasen takes a big swing but can only hit it over the fence, while Avesh Khan makes an easy catch to end their 42-run partnership.
Varun Chakaravarthy gives away only 2 runs in his brilliant over. Nandine de Klerk attempted to clear the ropes but her shot went straight to Arundhati Reddy at long-on. Hendricks got singles off two deliveries – then missed out completely on three; leaving Hendricks firmly on strike!
Second Over
South Africa’s national cricket team, commonly referred to as the Proteas, boasts an illustrious international success record stretching back as far as 1889. Widely respected as fierce competitors on a global stage due to their elite batting lineup and adaptable bowling attack.
Sanju Samson hit an explosive six off Nqabayomzi Peter to reach 76 off 50 balls and put India under immense pressure, but Bumrah struck back quickly to remove him and take back control.
Hardik Pandya bowled a fuller length delivery off and middle that Heinrich Klaasen eased to long off for one. Later, David Miller tried playing across against Varun Chakravarthy but his shot flew wide allowing Avesh Khan at deep square leg to catch it and score another run from 20 balls – South Africa required another 27 runs from 20 deliveries to win this match.
Third Over
After India defeated South Africa in the inaugural Twenty20 International at Kingsmead Stadium, Virender Sehwag was full of praise for them all as one of the finest teams ever assembled in cricket history. He called India one of the top teams worldwide.
Avesh Khan delivers an accurate short ball to Heinrich Klaasen on middle stump and takes an easy catch at deep square leg from him as Klaasen attempted to play across the line but missed. Avesh Khan took an easy catch.
Virender Sehwag took to Twitter and took time out to congratulate India on their stunning win against South Africa. He called them one of the top teams around the globe and offered his good wishes for future matches.
Fourth Over
South Africa had a chance of victory if Heinrich Klaasen could hit two sixes or three fours – however in trying to do so he ended up getting caught at long off by Suryakumar Yadav!
Axar Patel takes the over, and doesn’t disappoint his team by conceding only singles off his first two deliveries but in his third one Markram hits him for six!
Nandine de Klerk attempts a big shot but misses, scoring 28 off 22 and giving South Africa hope of victory. Unfortunately for them though, Pooja Vastrakar seizes her wicket to give India an unassailable lead and take home both matches and series by 3-1 margin – victory is theirs in their inaugural T20I! Both teams fought well and displayed remarkable sportsmanship throughout.
Fifth Over
As both teams take to the field at Wanderers Stadium, both national anthems are played out to an anticipating crowd at Wanderers Stadium. India’s bowlers have kept South African batsmen under pressure; thus ensuring an exciting match.
Avesh Khan pitches a short ball to Heinrich Klaasen who attempts to drive it over the infield but misses, sending it soaring directly towards Suryakumar Yadav at long-off who takes an impressive catch!
Marizanne Kapp unleashes a stunning slog sweep to hit a six and bring up South Africa’s 100-run partnership with Laura Wolvaardt – 10 runs off Shafali Verma’s over! Marizanne and Laura Wolvaardt continue their cautious approach and keep up their required rate, crucial elements to South Africa as they attempt to build long partnerships.
Sixth Over
South Africa’s batting unit needs to develop steely nerves in order to successfully face India bowlers. Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt have shown they can bat effectively, yet Bumrah’s yorkers and Pandya’s variations are causing them to lose focus and allow Bumrah’s yorkers to cause them discomfort.
Avesh Khan strikes with a short delivery on middle and leg; Tristan Stubbs attempts to drive it towards the boundary but misses, sending the ball flying towards Suryakumar Yadav at long off who made a catch in midair.
South Africans have faced an uphill struggle during this over, having lost momentum and seen the required run rate increase to 12 runs per over. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller have taken to the crease now, looking to form a partnership to help reach their team’s target faster; both have taken selective shots with hopes of hitting an occasional six – but pressure is mounting as India is scoring rapidly and they must score quick runs quickly in order to stay in contention.
Seventh Over
Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen both hit two sixes in Bridgetown to bring South Africa within 16 runs of victory, but Hardik Bumrah made sure their success did not materialise with an incredible catch in his final over spell.
Hendricks takes an ambitious swing but misses, and Pooja Vastrakar takes it at long-on for South Africa who need 14 off their last over.
The 15th over began with Laura Wolvaardt scoring a single and Hendricks scoring six runs off it, before the tempo changed as Klaasen and David Miller launched into an assault of shots anywhere short of good length, scoring runs off their first three deliveries until partnership was broken by Vastrakar’s slower ball; which Vastrakar took great delight in catching. South Africa are currently at 88/2 after 12 runs off this over.
Eighth Over
Flying insects have been disrupting play at Wanderers Stadium, prompting commentators to speculate they could portend rain.
Hendricks struck an impressive six off Avesh Khan as South Africa looked to increase their run rate, but Bumrah put a stopper to that plan with four wickets from him including Heinrich Klaasen bowled spectacularly by Bumrah who took an astonishing catch at long off!
Ravi Bishnoi enters the attack and delivers a fuller delivery on middle and leg; Patrick Kruger attempts to play across the line but misses completely, holing out to Hardik Pandya at deep square leg. South Africa are in serious difficulty now! They need to step up their game significantly! They find themselves on 85/6 with five wickets down. One miscalculation could prove disastrous.
