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India kicked off their South Africa tour with a resounding 61-run victory in the first T20I in Durban on November 8. Sanju Samson and Varun Chakravarthy played pivotal roles in India's continued dominance over South Africa, a team they recently defeated in the T20 World Cup final.
This win marked India's fifth victory in their last seven matches at the Durban venue, further solidifying their strong performance record there. Known for the historic bowl-out between India and Pakistan, Durban witnessed another impressive Indian performance with both bat and ball. Batting first in overcast conditions, India posted a competitive score of 202/8. South Africa, in response, were bowled out for 141 in 17.5 overs.
Sanju Samson's blistering 47-ball century set the tone for India's victory. The Indian bowlers, particularly Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, were instrumental in stifling South Africa's formidable middle-order. Key South African batters like Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Tristan Stubbs struggled to adapt to the Indian bowling attack and were dismissed within 25 balls, which led to South Africa's big defeat.
Sanju Samson's historic knock in Durban
Sanju Samson's exceptional talent was once again on full display in Durban. His recent form, backed by the faith of cricketing legends like Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir, culminated in a historic achievement. Samson became the first-ever Indian batter to score back-to-back T20I centuries. This feat places him in elite company alongside Phil Salt and Riley Russouw, the only other batters from Test-playing nations to achieve this remarkable milestone.
Samson's century was a masterclass of batting prowess. In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, he smashed 7 boundaries and 10 sixes in his 50-ball 107. His ability to effortlessly clear the ropes, even without reaching the pitch of the ball, was a testament to his exceptional timing and wristwork.
The partnership between Samson, Suryakumar Yadav (21), and Tilak Varma (33) propelled India past the 200-run mark, despite a late collapse. Samson's innings was crucial in ensuring India posted a formidable total, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
Sanju Samson's exceptional innings was undoubtedly the highlight of India's batting performance. After a relatively slow start, he exploded once the South African bowlers introduced spin in the powerplay. His innings overshadowed the contributions of established players like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma.
India's batting unit was in a dominant position when Samson was taking the attack to the bowlers. However, the dismissal of Samson in the 16th over triggered a dramatic collapse. Hardik Pandya (2), Rinku Singh (11), Axar Patel (7), and Ravi Bishnoi (1) followed Samson back to the pavilion in quick succession, leaving India with a disappointing end to their innings.
India, at one point, was poised to challenge the T20I record books, reminiscent of their performance against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. The dismissals of Tilak Varma and Samson within a short span, though, derailed their momentum.
Gerald Coetzee played a pivotal role in India's collapse. He displayed exceptional composure and skill in the death overs, finishing with impressive figures of 3/37. His accurate bowling removed key players like Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya, effectively stifling India's momentum.
South Africa's spin woes and India's clinical bowling
While South Africa's spinners struggled to contain India's batters in the first innings, the Indian spin duo of Bishnoi (3/28) and Chakravarthy turned the tables in the second innings. They consistently bowled wicket-to-wicket, making life difficult for experienced batters like David Miller (18) and Heinrich Klaasen (25).
If two seasoned IPL players struggled to decode the Indian spinners, it was clear that the rest of the South African batting lineup would face similar challenges. Chakravarthy (3/25), in particular, was instrumental in breaking the back of the South African batting order, forcing Miller and Klaasen to play aggressive shots that ultimately led to their dismissals. With the loss of five wickets for just 87 runs, South Africa's fate was sealed. While Gerald Coetzee and Keshav Maharaj offered some resistance, India's bowlers were relentless, eventually bowling out the South African team in 17.5 overs.
Meanwhile, the third T20I between India and South Africa will be played on November 10 at the St George's Park, Gqeberha.
