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IND beat SA by 28 runs | India vs South Africa, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20I Match - Commentary
India in South Africa, 3 T20I Series, 2018
Date: Feb 18, 2018 Start Time: 18:00 IST | 12:30 GMT | 14:30 LocalVenue: The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
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India vs South Africa Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Match - T20I Commentary
Is the score chaseable? There are no pointers that suggest otherwise. Some change of pace should aid the Indian seamers. Can India defend this? Will South Africa chase what's in front of them successfully? Join us in a while as we find out just that.
India got off to a flier, in spite of losing Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina inside the Powerplay. Both of them scored freely before unwanted shots consumed them. Shikhar Dhawan, though, had different plans. His cuts, pulls, flicks and drives, all came off the middle of the bat and he looked set to notch up a triple figure score before a shot that he'd look at later, consumed him. Virat Kohli looked good for the brief time he was in the middle. But Manish Pandey then played a sensible role in the middle and held the innings together to aid India breach the 200 mark. Of course, the drops from the South African fielders helped India's cause as well.
Excellent comeback from South Africa. They have just conceded 46 in the last five overs. Till the 15th over, India has threatened to get much more than what they have got. But the home side pacers decided to prevent the later damage. After going for 31 off his first two overs, Dane Paterson recovered well to concede just 17 off his last two, getting his yorkers with supreme accuracy. He remained wicketless but the same cannot be said about the debutant Junior Dala. The youngster bowled with a spring in his steps and got a couple of scalps to his name. Tabraiz Shamsi would be cherishing the evening for having got the big scalp of Virat Kohli.
Dane Paterson to Hardik Pandya. Excellent over from Paterson. He has just conceded 9 off this one. Yorkers fired in with pinpoint accuracy. Pandya only manages to dig it out through backward square leg for a single. 204 IS SOUTH AFRICA'S TARGET!
Dane Paterson to Manish Pandey. Fuller outside off, driven straight to long off for one.
Dane Paterson to Manish Pandey. SAFE! Full on the stumps, Pandey can only squeeze it towards long on. Takes on the fielder's arms as he returns for the second. Klaasen takes the throw and disturbs the stumps. Looks very excited and the appeal is taken upstairs. One look by the third umpire is enough to press the green light. Two runs added to the tally.
Pandey seems to be a goner. At least that's what Klaasen's reaction suggests. The run out appeal is taken upstairs.
Dane Paterson to Hardik Pandya. Full on off, smashed back to the bowler. Paterson fails to stop it cleanly and the ball rolls to the off side. A run taken.
Dane Paterson to Hardik Pandya. Excellent running. Yorker on the stumps, Pandya digs it out towards long on and always wants two. Gets it easily. The throw to the keeper was a good one, right on top of the stumps.
Dane Paterson to Hardik Pandya. WIDE! Slower ball on a shorter length. Pandya stands tall and looks to flat-bat it straight but misses. Wide signaled for height.
Dane Paterson to Manish Pandey. On a length around off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one.
Chris Morris to Manish Pandey. Manish drives it to long on for one.
Chris Morris to Hardik Pandya. Full outside off, driven through covers for one.
Chris Morris to Hardik Pandya. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries from Pandya. Mr. Sher, our colleague here, just asked as to why Pandya wasn't sent ahead of Dhoni today. This delivery adds weight to that question. Very low full toss on the pads, Pandya clips it past short fine leg and gets a boundary.
Chris Morris to Hardik Pandya. FOUR! Short in length, Pandya stands tall and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a boundary. The transfer of weight on the back foot was wonderful.
Chris Morris to Hardik Pandya. Very full outside off, Pandya fails to squeeze it out.
Chris Morris to Hardik Pandya. WIDE! This is hurled down the leg side, Hardik fails to flick.
Hardik Pandya is next in.
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. OUT! Castled! Morris gets the better of his ex-Chennai skipper. Dhoni walks across to flick this one through the on side to target the short boundary. Seeing this Morris spears in a full toss on leg. MS fails to get bat to that as the ball dips and the ball hits the leg stump very low. That's all that Chris and South Africa require.
Dane Paterson to MS Dhoni. Hurled on the pads, Dhoni flicks it towards fine leg. He runs the first one hard but doesn't get an opportunity for the second.
Dane Paterson to Manish Pandey. Yorker on off, Pandey squeezes it out to the off side and gets to the other end.
Dane Paterson to Manish Pandey. Full and outside off, Pandey makes room to play it through the off side but misses.
Dane Paterson to MS Dhoni. Short in length, pulled to fine leg for one.
Dane Paterson to MS Dhoni. FOUR! I'm loving it! There is a mini banter going on next to me regarding MS's usefulness to the T20 side and with every shot the man in question plays, the bantering sides have points against each other. This is bowled full on off, Dhoni charges down and blasts it straight back past the bowler for a boundary. The pro-Dhoni group gets a point of argument to silence the opposing one, saying look at this bullet-like shot and that should be enough. On having another look, it is seen that it was the cutter.
Dane Paterson to Manish Pandey. On a length outside off, Manish stays back and glides it to third man for a single.
Dane Patterson is back on.
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. FOUR! Remember World T20, 2016? It was the time when Dhoni and Kohli were both masters of playing this shot. Full outside off, Dhoni stays back and slices it just past backward point for a boundary. There was a man running to his right from third man but he had no chance of getting anywhere near.
Chris Morris to Manish Pandey. Fuller on middle, driven down to long on for one.
Chris Morris to Manish Pandey. WIDE! Sprayed down the leg side, MP misses the flick.
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. On a length around middle and leg, flicked off the pads for one.
Chris Morris to Manish Pandey. DROPPED! Another chance goes down. Tabraiz Shamsi is the man who is at fault. This is hurled full on leg, Pandey gets across and looks to get it over short fine leg. Doesn't get the elevation and hits it towards short fine leg. Shamsi gets low to his right and gets both his hands to that but fails to hang on. A run taken. Pandey is a good end-overs batter and hence this could prove costly for the Proteas.
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. Length ball slanting in, Dhoni pats it to the on side and gets to the other end.
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. Full outside off, Dhoni clears his front leg and looks to go big over the off side but ends up slicing it over point. Gets two runs as a result.
Chris Morris is back.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Manish Pandey. Flatter delivery on a length just outside off. Pandey hangs his bat to guide it towards short third man. Wanted a run but is sent back by Dhoni.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Manish Pandey. Looped up on the stumps, Manish gets it off the inner half towards the bowler.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Manish Pandey. WIDE! Served around leg, the ball spins further down leg. Pandey gets inside the line and lets it be.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Manish Pandey. Tossed up on the stumps, Pandey works it away through square leg for a brace.
Tabraiz Shamsi to MS Dhoni. Floated around off, driven down to long off for one.
Tabraiz Shamsi to MS Dhoni. Similar delivery, Dhoni looks to punch it off the back foot but gets a thick outside edge straight to short third man.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Manish Pandey. Flatter outside off, Pandey guides it past short third man. Three runs taken.
Tabraiz Shamsi to bowl out.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Manish Pandey. Shortish outside off, Pandey guides it past backward point to retain strike.
Andile Phehlukwayo to MS Dhoni. Dhoni gets off the mark with a push through mid on.
MS Dhoni walks in at number 6 for India, replacing Dhawan.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shikhar Dhawan. OUT! Dhawan throws it away! Not a great shot to be honest but credit to the bowler as well. Shikhar gets down early to play the paddle sweep. Spotting this Phehlukwayo delivers a back of the hand slower ball around leg. The southpaw continues with his shot and all he manages is to offer a catch to Klaasen. He dives forward and pouches it safely. End of a scintillating knock from the Indian opener. Can this be the opening for South Africa?
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! There are only fours and sixes today, quips Harsha Bhogle on air, looking at the 16 fours and 7 sixes on show so far. This is short but on the stumps. Dhawan is standing outside the line of leg stump and hence the room that is needed is already available for him. Thrashes it through point and gets a boundary.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shikhar Dhawan. WIDE! Andile errs. Bowls it full down the leg side, Dhawan misses the sweep.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shikhar Dhawan. Very full on the stumps, Shikhar looks to whip it away but gets it off the inner half to the bowler.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Manish Pandey. Full outside off, Pandey digs it out towards point and gets to the other end.
Junior Dala to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Short in length, pulled with disdain through square leg for a boundary. 11 off this over, Dala finishes with 4-0-47-2 on debut.
Junior Dala to Manish Pandey. Close! Back of a length ball around off, Pandey hops and hits it to mid on. It's straight to Behardien there. Manish decides to take his arm on. He makes it in as the bowler collects the throw and disturbs the stumps. What's more creditable from Pandey is that he was on the back foot as he played it. Hence he had to cover a yard extra which he did successfully.
Junior Dala to Shikhar Dhawan. Short in length, pulled through backward square leg for one.
Junior Dala to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Is Chris Gayle in to Shikhar Dhawan? Woah! That swag. Fuller in length just outside off, Dhawan gets down on one knee and fetches this from outside off. Hits it over mid-wicket and gets a boundary. Moves to 63 off 34.
Junior Dala to Manish Pandey. Short in length on the body, Manish pulls it to fine leg for one.
Junior Dala to Manish Pandey. Length ball outside off, defended with a straight bat to the off side.
Junior Dala is back on. He'll bowl out now. 3-0-36-2 are his current figures.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Manish Pandey. Back of a length ball angling in, Pandey hangs back and ramps it towards third man for one.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shikhar Dhawan. Nudged through mid-wicket for one.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shikhar Dhawan. Good running again. Dhawan just pushes it through mid-wicket and sets off for a run. Seeing the fielder not get to the ball quickly, Pandey calls his partner for the second and both of them reach their ends safely.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shikhar Dhawan. Down the leg side, Dhawan looks to sweep but gets it off the thigh pads towards the keeper. Klaasen fails to get down in time and lets it through him. A couple of leg byes result.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Shot. Dhawan comes down the track to this one and flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shikhar Dhawan. Full outside off, driven to covers.
Andile Phehlukwayo is introduced to the bowling crease.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Manish Pandey. Flatter on off and middle, defended from the crease.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Manish Pandey. UMPIRE'S CALL SAVES PANDEY! This one is floated around middle, Pandey fails to read the spin in and misses to get bat. Gets hit on the front pad and that's enough for Shamsi to run in celebration. On not getting the umpire's nod, he starts to appeal rigorously, though it doesn't change the umpire's decision. After some chat with the keeper, Duminy signals for the DRS. Hawk Eye shows that it would have clipped the top of leg. Hence, the on-field call stays although South Africa retain their review.
Another one for Shamsi? Looks to be so. An appeal for LBW against Pandey is ruled not out. But the Proteas have a chat and signal for the DRS. Doesn't look as close as the Kohli one.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shikhar Dhawan. Flatter outside off, cut away for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! 4th T20I fifty for Shikhar Dhawan. He has been confident today and has been middling the shots well and does so yet again. Goes back to this short one and pulls it over mid-wicket for a one-bounce boundary.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Manish Pandey. Floated outside off, pushed through covers for one.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Manish Pandey. SIX! Risky shot, pays off this time. Tossed up outside off, Pandey takes him on and lofts it over long off. Just clears a leaping Reeza Hendricks at that position and gets a maximum. Reeza might just be wishing he'd been a couple of foot taller.
JJ Smuts to Manish Pandey. Floated around off, driven to long on for on.
JJ Smuts to Shikhar Dhawan. Punched off the back foot through covers for one.
JJ Smuts to Shikhar Dhawan. Lovely running. Dhawan slinks down the track and pushes it through mid-wicket with soft hands, allowing him to come back for two.
JJ Smuts to Manish Pandey. Flicked in front of square on the leg side to rotate strike.
JJ Smuts to Manish Pandey. Tossed up on off, driven back to the bowler.
JJ Smuts to Shikhar Dhawan. Floated around off, tapped to the on side for one.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shikhar Dhawan. Tossed up outside off, driven down to long off by Dhawan and he will keep strike.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shikhar Dhawan. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Manish Pandey. Pandey gets going with a flick through mid-wicket.
Manish Pandey is in next, replacing Kohli.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. OUT! Dead duck and Kohli walks back taking the review! Looked out to the naked eye and he fails to make his dropped chance count. More than anyone, Farhaan Behardien will breathe a sigh of relief! Tabraiz sends it quicker through the air, lands it around middle and it turns in to ping Kohli on the back pad right in front of the stumps. The bowler keeps appealing and finally gets a positive nod from the umpire. He starts to run with his arms outstretched but Kohli challenges the decision. Hawk Eye shows it's pitched in line and would have hit the stumps. Big wicket for South Africa, can they put a lid on the scoring rate?
A huge, huge appeal and the umpire rules Kohli out after a long thought. Looks a dead duck does Virat, he however, takes the DRS.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shikhar Dhawan. Tossed up delivery around middle and off, swept off the inner half through square leg for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. Opens the face of the and dabs it with soft hands towards short third man for one.
JJ Smuts to Virat Kohli. Gets forward and across and nudged it through square leg to keep strike.
JJ Smuts to Shikhar Dhawan. Darted on middle, wristed away towards mid-wicket for a single.
JJ Smuts to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Bad ball and gets the treatment! Smuts drops it short, gives enough time for the southpaw to go back and pummel it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
JJ Smuts to Shikhar Dhawan. Flatter ball outside off, Dhawan tries to hit it hard through point but gets an outside edge towards short third man.
JJ Smuts to Virat Kohli. VK eases the full ball down to long on to get a single. Also, the 100 is raised for India!
JJ Smuts to Shikhar Dhawan. 50-run stand is up between the two. Shortish around off, Dhawan hits it wide of long on. The man in the deep fumbles but they don't take another.
Jon-Jon Smuts is brought into the attack now.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan punches it down to long on to pick 14 from Shamsi's first over.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. Goes back to a flatter delivery and clips it through mid-wicket for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. SIX! Ahhhh, pure, pure timing, says Gavaskar on air. Flighted ball around middle and off, Kohli dances down the track and chips it straight back down the ground. Meets the sweet portion and clears the fence with so much ease. And immediately the camera is panned on Behardien. How costly will that dropped catch hurt SA?
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. Around middle and leg, whipped away through mid-wicket for a couple.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. FOUR! Adding salt to the injury! Shortish delivery, outside off, Kohli rocks back and flays it through point for a boundary.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. In the air... Kohli holes out. Scratch that, Behardien drops a dolly! Dear me! You can't drop him! Shamsi could have had struck on the very first ball. Floated delivery on middle and leg, Kohli lofts it down the ground but the bat seems to have turned on the impact. Mistimes it towards long on and gets a life. He doesn't even run.
Tabraiz Shamsi is brought into the attack.
Chris Morris to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Shot! Morris angles it away on a shorter length outside off, Dhawan cuts it behind point to find the fence and spoil a good over.
Chris Morris to Shikhar Dhawan. Fuller ball on off, Dhawan looks to drive but gets it off the toe-end of the bat to mid off.
Chris Morris to Virat Kohli. On a length and some zip off the surface, Virat slices it over point for a single.
Chris Morris to Virat Kohli. Stays back footed to another short ball and punches it towards the man at cover.
Chris Morris to Virat Kohli. Shortish delivery on off, punched nicely only to find the man at cover.
Chris Morris to Virat Kohli. Wide! Morris slips one down the leg side, Kohli tries clipping it away but fails to do so.
Chris Morris to Virat Kohli. On a length and outside off, tapped towards point where Miller makes a good stop.
Junior Dala to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! 78 runs from the Powerplay! This is some start for the Indians! Shortish ball with a lot of room on offer, Dhawan slaps it through point to move into the 30s. 18 have come from this over.
Junior Dala to Shikhar Dhawan. Wide! Shortish ball, kicking off the surface, Dhawan just lets it sail over him to the keeper.
Junior Dala to Shikhar Dhawan. SIX! After top edging a couple in the previous over, Dhawan gets one off the meat! Lifts one leg up to a short ball on leg and pulls it with disdain over fine leg for a maximum. Huge one!
Junior Dala to Virat Kohli. Gets across and tucks it behind square on the leg side for a single.
Junior Dala to Shikhar Dhawan. Drills it through cover for a single.
Junior Dala to Virat Kohli. Chance of a run out! Back of a length delivery outside off, VK taps it towards cover-point and sets off. Miller gets to the ball and fires a throw at the bowler's end but misses. Had it hit, things would have been interesting.
Junior Dala to Virat Kohli. FOUR! Delightful. Dala hurls this fuller outside off, Kohli reaches out to it and drives it through covers for a boundary. Runs continue to flow for India.
Chris Morris to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Another edge and it goes past the keeper. Dhawan is riding his luck at the moment! Another short ball down the leg side, Dhawan looks to play the natraja pull but gets it off the gloves past the keeper for back-to-back boundaries.
Chris Morris to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Top edge again and more runs! Shortish delivery on middle and leg, Dhawan looks to pull but gets a top edge which flies down to fine leg for a boundary.
Chris Morris to Virat Kohli. Taps this length delivery towards point and calls through for a single.
Chris Morris to Virat Kohli. Fuller in length and outside off, Kohli leans ahead and drives it through the gap at cover for a brace. Brings up the 50 for India!
Chris Morris to Virat Kohli. Touch fuller outside off, pushed off the front foot towards the cover fielder.
Chris Morris to Virat Kohli. Good length delivery outside off, pushed off the back foot towards point.
Chris Morris is into the attack as well.
Virat Kohli is the new man in.
Junior Dala to Suresh Raina. OUT! Top edge and it's wicket no. 2 for Dala! He is roaring in delight! Bowls a length delivery outside off, Raina looks to swipe it across the line but gets a big top edge which balloons high up in the air. Junior Dala calls for it and takes it comfortably. Not a good show on your comeback.
Junior Dala to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Good shot! Raina makes room, Dala fires it full outside off, Suresh crouches low, opens the bat face and lifts it over backward point to find the fence.
Junior Dala to Suresh Raina. Clipped off the hips towards square leg.
Junior Dala to Shikhar Dhawan. The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Junior Dala to Shikhar Dhawan. Was there an edge? There was certainly a noise. Good length delivery on leg, Dhawan looks to pull but it goes off something to the keeper who takes it and appeals. Nothing from the umpire and instead he calls it a wide. Replays later on show that it has brushed his glove. Reprieve for Dhawan!
Junior Dala to Shikhar Dhawan. Makes room to cut but gets a bottom edge on the bounce to the keeper.
Junior Dala to Shikhar Dhawan. SIX! Whipped away! Fuller delivery on the pads, Dhawan heaves it powerfully over deep square leg for a maximum.
Dane Paterson to Suresh Raina. FOUR! In the air... dropped! A tough chance but hello? What is Raina upto? He just got a biggie and tries to get some more. Dances down the track to a length ball and looks to go big. Gets a top edge and it goes high up in the air over mid off. Behardien runs backward, stretches both his arms to take it but fails to hold on. The ball bursts out of his hands and trickles away to the fence.
Dane Paterson to Suresh Raina. SIX! Typical Raina shot! Back of a length delivery, following the batsman, Raina stays leg side and pulls it over mid-wicket. Doesn't seem to have middled it but has enough to clear the fence.
Dane Paterson to Shikhar Dhawan. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.
Dane Paterson to Suresh Raina. Tucks a length delivery towards square leg and gets off the mark.
Dane Paterson to Shikhar Dhawan. Hits it hard towards backward point where Shamzi makes a partial stop. A single taken.
Dane Paterson to Shikhar Dhawan. Short and slanting away outside off, Dhawan makes room to cut it away but fails to get any wood on it.
Junior Dala to Suresh Raina. Stabs a length ball towards the off side. A successful over for the rookie.
Junior Dala to Suresh Raina. Wide! Fuller in length but strangled down the leg side, Raina misses his flick.
Okay then, Suresh Raina walks in next at no. 3.
Junior Dala to Rohit Sharma. OUT! The on-field call is overturned! Maiden wicket for Dala and look at the excitement. Simply superb! He digs in a short ball, gets it to bounce a touch extra. Rohit backs away to ramp it over the keeper but seems to have gotten an edge en route to Klaasen. South Africa put in a huge appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Heinrich is confident and he convinces his skipper to take the review. Replays roll in and there is a spike on the Ultra Edge. That is it then.
Has Dala struck? Rohit Sharma seems to have edged one to the keeper. However, the bowler shows no interest but the keeper does. Klaasen asks Duminy to take the review...
Junior Dala to Rohit Sharma. Another one on a length, just around middle and off, blocked towards cover.
Junior Dala to Rohit Sharma. Hangs back to a length delivery and shows a straight bat.
Junior Dala to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Thrashed away! On a back of a length in the channel outside off, Rohit Sharma hits it between cover and point. It was in the air but through the gap as well.
Junior Dala to Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan wrists it away through mid-wicket to bring Rohit back on strike.
Junior Dala, the debutant to share the new ball from the other end.
Dane Paterson to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Up and over! Rohit Sharma moves to 17 in just 5 balls! Another short ball, served outside off, slapped over backward point for a one-bounce boundary. Paterson goes for 18 in the first over of the match.
Dane Paterson to Rohit Sharma. SIX! Boom! This is turning out to be a huge over! Short ball, doesn't have enough venom behind it. Sharma pulls it neatly and sends it soaring over the fine leg fence for the second maximum of the over.
Dane Paterson to Shikhar Dhawan. Shortish delivery on middle and leg, Dhawan lifts his one leg up and pulls it through backward square leg for a single to open his account.
Dane Paterson to Rohit Sharma. Inside edge! Brings it back in from outside off, Sharma tries to force it through the off side but gets an inside edge past the leg stump towards fine leg for a single.
Dane Paterson to Rohit Sharma. SIX! Crashed it! Rohit Sharma is up and running! Receives a short ball, wider outside off, he stands put and throws the kitchen sink at it. Gets it over backward point and it sails over the rope. Quick hands! India are away as well.
Dane Paterson to Rohit Sharma. Paterson starts off from over the wicket and hurls a length delivery outside off, Rohit Sharma stays back and defends.
Time for the national anthems. It is India's first followed by South Africa's. After the completion we are all set to get underway. The umpires and the players make their way out to the middle. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will open the batting. Dane Paterson will start off with the bowling proceedings. He has two slips in place. Let's play...
Virat Kohli, Indian skipper says even they wanted to bowl first. Adds it looks a dry surface and feels the batters will enjoy. Informs Suresh Raina, Jaydev Undakat, Manish Pandey and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are in the side. Reckons you can't let the intensity drop and so far it has worked well for them. Opines the atmosphere in the dressing room is really good and the guys are looking forward to do well.
JP Duminy, South African skipper says they are going to bowl first. States it is easier to chase in a day game here. Informs they are without AB de Villiers today as he injured his knee during the last ODI. States the guys are up for the contest and they have included Heinrich Klaasen and Junior Dala (debutants) in the team.
TOSS - Duminy flips the coin and it comes down in his favour. South Africa put India in to bat!
PITCH REPORT - Shaun Pollock says there is a cloud cover over head. Adds it looks a good batting surface and expects the ball to come onto the bat nicely. Calls it a belter of a wicket and informs there is a short boundary on one side of the ground to make matters worse for the bowlers. Reckons he can't find anything on it for the bowlers, no lateral movement and nothing off the pitch either.
A depleted South Africa would take this series as a mark of redemption. JP Duminy will be leading the side and they have called in some fresh faces as the key players haven't recovered from the injuries as yet. To top that list, AB de Villiers has been recently added to that unwanted list. Whether he plays today or not remains to be seen. It's a bit gloomy out there and all we can hope is that the rain stays away. Toss and teams coming up in just a bit...
The Test series and the ODI series is done and dusted. South Africa and India will now lock horns for a 3-match T20I series and we welcome you for our coverage. Virat Kohli and his men have dominated the colored clothing to hand a serious drubbing to the hosts by beating them 5-1. Don't be surprised if you get to see more of that in the shortest format of the game. Suresh Raina, the T20 veteran is called back in the side after quite a hiatus and is expected to be in the starting XI.
That's all we have from this game. Another lop-sided game, another win for India. Will the plot change? South African fans would definitely hope for that. The second T20I shall take place on February 21st in Centurion at 1800 local (1600 GMT). Do join us for that as well. We take your leave for now. Goodbye and cheers!
Victorious Indian skipper, Virat Kohli says he tweaked his glute while batting and didn't want to risk it. So he preferred to move out of the field. Is really proud of the way his boys showed up today. Calls it a team batting performance as everyone chipped in. And then is out of words to describe Bhuvneshwar Kumar's effort with the ball. Isn't disappointed with the score that they got on the board as he felt they never let the run rate drop below 10 at any point. About this being a long tour, he replies saying the talks revolve around enjoying every bit of their stay there.
Man of the Match, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is really delighted to have picked up a 5-fer. Says he keeps it simple by bowling in good areas and mixing it up. States he saw what the hosts' bowlers did - took the pace off to make matters worse - and he did exactly that to reap the rewards. Reckons it's a special feeling when you perform well in tough situation.
South Africa skipper, Jean-Paul Duminy is really disappointed with today's performance. Is happy to have pulled things back after the big Powerplay in the first innings. Lauds his bowlers for doing the job. Rues the dropped catches on the field and admits that they do cost you the games. Takes the blame on him and other senior players as they failed to take the responsibility.
Lots of soul-searching to do for the hosts. Their bowlers bowled well in the death but the fact that they leaked too many upfront, asked too much on the part of the batters. Apart from Reeza Hendricks and Farhaan Behardien none of the batsmen got going and in the end, they suffered yet another shambolic defeat. Hang in as we have the presentation coming up for you...
The run chase never took off to be honest. The Indian bowlers were right on the money and they dented the hosts by picking up two wickets inside the first five overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was just outstanding and impressed one and all by picking up his maiden 5-wicket haul in T20Is. The others chipped in with breakthroughs at regular intervals apart from Jasprit Bumrah, who remained wicket-less. But his acrobatic effort in the field should nullify that.
India continue to dominate proceedings in the colored clothing. They have yet again outclassed the Proteas in all the facets of the game. Firstly, they were put into bat and they scaled a huge total of 203 on the board. It was Dhawan who anchored the innings with useful contributions from the rest. At the halfway stage, given the nature of the surface, it seemed like the Indians are at least 15-20 runs short but... it proved to be too much in the end.
Jaydev Unadkat to Tabraiz Shamsi. That's it! India win by 28 runs to go 1-0 up! Unadkat bowls a slower short ball outside off, Tabraiz Shamsi looks to pull but doesn't connect.
Jaydev Unadkat to Tabraiz Shamsi. Slower delivery on off, Shamsi swings and misses.
Tabriaz Shamsi is the last man in.
Jaydev Unadkat to Andile Phehlukwayo. OUT! Unadkat has one to his name as well. Hurls a cutter, wider outside off, Andile Phehlukwayo swings hard across the line but gets a top edge towards point where Chahal takes a sitter. Can India bowl South Africa out?
Jaydev Unadkat to Andile Phehlukwayo. Shortish ball on middle and off, Phehlukwayo pulls it through mid-wicket and gets two to his name.
Jaydev Unadkat to Andile Phehlukwayo. Waits for the slower one to come to him and when it comes he looks to go hard at it. Gets a bottom edge on the bounce to Dhoni.
Jaydev Unadkat to Andile Phehlukwayo. FOUR! A boundary to begin the final over. Very full on off, Phehlukwayo tries to dig it out but gets an edge down to third man.
35 needed off the final 6 balls. South Africa need to do a Yuvraj Singh here. Jaydev Unadkat to bowl the last over.
Jasprit Bumrah to Junior Dala. Was that a catch? Fuller in length, Dala brings his bat down at the right time. He squeezes it out towards point where Rohit dives to his left to stop it.
Jasprit Bumrah to Andile Phehlukwayo. Andile drills it through mid off for a single.
Jasprit Bumrah to Junior Dala. The batsman gets a leading edge on that one. One run added to the total.
Jasprit Bumrah to Andile Phehlukwayo. Fullish in length, driven through cover for one.
Jasprit Bumrah to Junior Dala. Length delivery outside off, dabbed towards third man for a single.
Jasprit Bumrah to Andile Phehlukwayo. Driven through mid-off by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Jasprit Bumrah to Andile Phehlukwayo. FOUR! Waist height no ball from Bumrah. Maybe, it slipped out of his hands. Andile is taken aback by it. Puts his bat to it and gets it off the outer edge towards Dhoni who fails to stop it due to the bad bounce. It deflects off his pads and goes down to third man for a boundary. Jasprit immediately apologizes. Free Hit coming up next.
Junior Dala walks out next to bat.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Dane Paterson. OUT! It's a team Hat-trick for India! South Africa are falling like nine pins here. Paterson cuts it towards Pandya at backward point who half-stops it and concedes a run. The pair goes for the second even as Hardik recovers in time and returns a throw to Dhoni who takes the bails off. Paterson fails to make it in even with the dive. It's not even taken upstairs. End of an eventful-match-winning over.
Dane Paterson to face the hat-trick ball.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Chris Morris. OUT! And it's a FIVE-FER for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His maiden in this format. What a performance! Another delivery on the stumps, Morris comes and doesn't waste anytime. Smacks it down the ground towards Raina at long on. He manages to hold onto as he catches it near the fingertips. Now then, can he pick up a hat-trick?
Chris Morris is the new man in.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Heinrich Klaasen. OUT! Another one bites the dust! Career-best figures for Bhuvi now. Fuller ball, on the stumps, Klaasen clears the front leg and lofts it down the ground. Didn't get any meat behind the shot and it's a simple catch to Raina at long on. Can Kumar pick up a 5-fer?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Heinrich Klaasen. Goes back and pulls it straight back towards the non-striker. The ball deflects off his partner's pads and rolls towards mid on. Bhuvi himself runs to the ball and by the time he retrieves, they take a brace.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Heinrich Klaasen. HK hits a fuller delivery down to long on and comes back for a couple. Good running!
Andile Phehlukwayo is the new man in.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Reeza Hendricks. OUT! Got him. Bhuvi picks up his third and that certainly should be the final nail in the coffin. Slower delivery, around middle and off, Hendricks looks to slog it across the line but gets a thick top edge. It goes straight up in the air and Dhoni calls for it. Settles nicely under it to send the South African opener back.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. FOUR! More runs! The crowd loves it. 15 have come from this over and South Africa need another 50 to win. Slower delivery outside off, Klaasen goes hard at it. Gets an edge which goes over short third man and trickles away to the fence.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. SIX! What a strike that is! Absolutely pummeled! Waits back to a short ball and smites it with a flat-bat down the ground for a maximum.
Hardik Pandya to Reeza Hendricks. Hendricks lofts it down to long off where it goes on the bounce to Dhawan. A single added to the total.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Dhoni fumbles! Bowls a full toss on the stumps, Heinrich misses to get bat on ball and Dhoni behind the stumps fumbles. Concedes a bye.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Wide! Pandya bangs in a short one, it rises and goes over the head of Klaasen.
Hardik Pandya to Reeza Hendricks. On a back of a length outside off, Hendricks stays leg side and punches it towards sweeper cover for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Punched off the back foot through cover for one.
Hardik Pandya comes back. South Africa need one big over.
Jasprit Bumrah to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! Right through the gap. Really played that well. Reeza makes room to a fuller delivery and opens the face of the bat to get it between the gap at backward point and short third man. A boundary results! 65 required off 24!
Jasprit Bumrah to Heinrich Klaasen. Makes some room and square drives it towards point to pick a single.
Jasprit Bumrah to Reeza Hendricks. Backs away to a length delivery and hits it down to long off for one.
Jasprit Bumrah to Reeza Hendricks. Reeza tries to pull that one but failed to connect it.
Jasprit Bumrah to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! Up and over! Hendricks is keeping them in the hunt! Gets underneath a fuller ball and lofts it over mid off for a boundary.
Jasprit Bumrah to Reeza Hendricks. Bowls a clever slower delivery, RH gets down to sweep but misses.
Heinrich Klaasen is the new man in.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. OUT! Chahal strikes on the last ball of the spell! He breaks the stand that was blooming. Is that the game for India? We shall find out. Floated delivery on the stumps, Behardien dances down the track to go big but is done in by the flight. Mistimes his lofted shot to long on where Manish Pandey comes a few yards in to take it and put an end to the 81-run association. The hosts need to score 5 more than 70 in 30 balls.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Reeza Hendricks. Chance of a run out! Reeza cuts it towards Rohit at point and takes him on. The Indian opener returns a throw to Chahal who fails to collect it. A single taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! Sliced over! Runs have started to flow for SA! Chahal sees the batsman giving the charge and hence drifts it wider outside off, Hendricks still goes after the lofted shot and ends up slicing it over point to find the fence.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Reeza Hendricks. Floated ball outside off, Reeza gets down and plays the slog sweep. It goes towards deep mid-wicket where Pandya comes running in and overruns it but recovers in time to keep them down to a couple.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. Drops it short on middle, FB goes back and pulls it through backward square leg for one.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. Quicker and flatter through the air, gets it to skid off the pitch, Farhaan gets an inside edge on the pads.
Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl out. Can he pick up a wicket?
Jasprit Bumrah to Farhaan Behardien. Fuller delivery on off, drilled through extra cover for one more. 9 off this over, good comeback from Jasprit after being hit for a biggie on the very first ball of the over. 83 needed from 36 balls.
Jasprit Bumrah to Farhaan Behardien. Foxes the batsman with the slower delivery. Behardien swings and misses.
Jasprit Bumrah to Reeza Hendricks. Low full toss outside off, RH once again stays leg side and powers it over cover but will get just a single.
Jasprit Bumrah to Reeza Hendricks. This is Bumrah at his best! Fires in a pinpoint yorker, Reeza makes room but couldn't dig it out. It rolls on a couple of bounces to Dhoni behind.
Jasprit Bumrah to Farhaan Behardien. Slower ball on a length outside off, pushed towards cover for a single.
Jasprit Bumrah to Farhaan Behardien. SIX! Welcome Bumrah, says Farhaan! Jasprit starts the spell with a fuller delivery veering on the pads, Behardien moves across and dumps it beautifully over deep square leg for a maximum to start the over.
Jasprit Bumrah is back on. He has bowled just one over and has given three runs.
Jaydev Unadkat to Reeza Hendricks. Maiden T20I fifty for Reeza Hendricks! He has fought well. Can he start to fire now? Ball - Tucks the length delivery in front of square on the leg side and scampers across for a brace.
Jaydev Unadkat to Reeza Hendricks. Slower delivery, angling in on middle, Reeza tucks it through mid-wicket and calls for two. The throw comes in to Dhoni who collects and tries to disturb the stumps but misses. Moves to 49 does Reeza.
Jaydev Unadkat to Farhaan Behardien. Punched through the cover for a single.
Jaydev Unadkat to Farhaan Behardien. Stands tall looks to dab it away but couldn't put bat to ball.
Jaydev Unadkat to Farhaan Behardien. FOUR! Crashed away! Slower ball, shorter in length and outside off, Farhaan slaps it uppishly past a diving Rohit at backward point for a boundary.
Jaydev Unadkat to Farhaan Behardien. Slower delivery outside off, Behardien looks to run it down but fails to do so.
Jaydev Unadkat is back into the attack.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Reeza Hendricks. Oh, yes he does! Superb delivery to end the over! Loops it up around middle and it turns away past the outside edge to the keeper.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! More runs! Yuzi is taken for runs today! Flatter delivery outside off, turning away, Reeza goes back and slaps it through cover-point to find the fence. 14 already from the over. Can he finish well?
Yuzvendra Chahal to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! Shot! Chahal floats it up outside off, Hendricks gets down and murders the slog sweep over mid-wicket for a boundary. It also brings up the 50-run stand between the two.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. Drives it down to long on for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. Wide! Pushes it too wide outside off, FB doesn't play at it. This time it's called as a wide.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. FOUR! Beats the man at backward point! Tossed up delivery outside off, Farhaan gets into the position early and reverse sweeps it past Unadkat at short third man to pick up another boundary.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. Farhaan was standing way to across and hence Chahal drifts it further away from him. He leaves it alone expecting a wide which is not given by the umpire.
Hardik Pandya to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! Some runs here for South Africa! Hendricks gets a freebie on the pads, he walks across and flick-pulls it over square leg for a boundary to end the over. 115 needed off 54 balls.
Hardik Pandya to Farhaan Behardien. Behardien comes down the track and toe-ends the drive towards Dhawan at mid off for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Reeza Hendricks. Another slower delivery, angling in on middle, Reeza works it through square leg to get to the other end.
Hardik Pandya to Reeza Hendricks. Calls for two and gets it comfortably! Hendricks walks across to this slower length delivery and clips it through mid-wicket.
Hardik Pandya to Farhaan Behardien. Fullish again outside off, Behardien chips it aerially over cover for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Reeza Hendricks. Fuller in length and on the stumps, lofted down to long on for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Reeza Hendricks. Flatter on the stumps, Reeza goes back and works it through mid-wicket for one.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Reeza Hendricks. Just short! Flatter outside off, Hendricks ends up slicing it towards backward point. Unadkat stationed there dives forward but the ball lands just short.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. Outside off, driven through covers for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. Floated around off, pushed through covers. Seeing the bowler run after that and hence there being no one to collect the throw at the bowler's end, Behardien calls for two. The batter rush for the second as well. Meanwhile, Raina does the mopping up in the deep and fires a throw at the bowler's end but misses. Could have been close had he hit.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. SIX! BAM! Nice, clean shot. Tossed up delivery around off, Behardien charges down the track and hits it straight over the bowler's head for a maximum.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Reeza Hendricks. Floated outside off, lofted on the bounce to sweeper cover for one.
Hardik Pandya to Farhaan Behardien. Length ball on the pads, Farhaan looks to flick it but gets a thin edge. The ball goes on the bounce to Dhoni. Perhaps the change of pace made the ball not carry to him.
Hardik Pandya to Farhaan Behardien. FOUR! Misses the yorker, does Hardik. Behardien doesn't miss out though. It turns out to be a low full toss on the pads, Behardien gets some bat on that one. The ball races away towards fine leg. Unadkat rushes to his right from deep square leg and puts the dive but is unable to stop that.
Hardik Pandya to Reeza Hendricks. Short in length, Hendricks pulls it to deep square leg for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Farhaan Behardien. Slower delivery on a length around off and middle, clipped through square leg for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Farhaan Behardien. On a length around middle, worked away round the corner.
Hardik Pandya to Reeza Hendricks. Well done, Yuzi! Fuller outside off, driven towards mid off. Chahal gets to his right from covers and dives to stop the ball. He also hits the stumps at the bowler's end but Reeza is well in.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Reeza Hendricks. Another cover drive fetches Hendricks a single. Six runs off this over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. Loopy ball around off, Farhaan gets forward and pushes it through covers for one.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Reeza Hendricks. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. Floated around middle, turned through mid-wicket for one.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Reeza Hendricks. Flatter outside off, Reeza goes back and slaps it through covers for one.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Farhaan Behardien. Tossed up on off, eased through mid on for one.
Spin time. Yuzvendra Chahal is brought into the attack. Can the Proteas be able to deal with him this evening?
Hardik Pandya to Reeza Hendricks. Beaten all ends up! Length ball on off, it moves in, beating the batsman on the inside.
Hardik Pandya to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! Nicely played. Short and outside off, Hendricks stands back and cuts it over backward point for a boundary.
Hardik Pandya to Reeza Hendricks. WIDE! The batsman tries flicking a ball that is down the leg side. The umpire has signaled a wide.
Hardik Pandya to Farhaan Behardien. Behardien plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. They pick up a single. He gets off the mark.
Hardik Pandya to Reeza Hendricks. Short in length, pulled through square leg for one.
Farhaan Behardien walks in next. 156 off 82 needed.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. OUT! Another one bites the dust! Miller's short stay at the crease comes to the end. He looks to take the aerial route yet again. This is a fuller ball from Pandya at a slower pace. David lofts it over mid on. Dhawan backtracks from there and holds on to it with ease. These aren't easy ones to take, mind you, but Shikhar has done well. South Africa's troubles mount.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. WIDE! Banged short, that passes over the batter's head.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. SIX! Excellent effort from Jasprit Bumrah. But the new rule change has aided South Africa here. This delivery is slogged towards fine leg by Miller. Bumrah has his eyes on the ball and he jumps to keep the ball in play before returning the throw after recovering. However, the on-field umpires want to have another look. It is seen that Bumrah took a couple of steps back and first treaded on the ropes before jumping in the air to keep the ball in play. Thus, it is a biggie as the last contact was on or beyond the ropes and not in the field of play.
Hardik Pandya is brought into the attack.
Jasprit Bumrah to Reeza Hendricks. Timber, at the other end though! This full delivery on the stumps is punched down the ground. It hits the stumps at the other end. The ball deflects towards mid on but doesn't result in a run. Just three of this one and South Africa finish the Powerplay at 41/2.
Jasprit Bumrah to Reeza Hendricks. Similar delivery, but the height is more on this occasion as Hendricks misses the flick.
Jasprit Bumrah to Reeza Hendricks. Stifled appeal, turned down. Length ball angling in, Reeza misses the flick and gets rapped high on the front thigh. An appeal comes in, turned down immediately.
Jasprit Bumrah to David Miller. Short in length, pulled through backward square leg for one.
Jasprit Bumrah to David Miller. David flicks this through mid on and gets a brace to get off the mark.
Jasprit Bumrah to David Miller. Bumrah runs in from round the wicket and hurls it on a length around off. Miller stands tall and clips it to mid-wicket.
Jasprit Bumrah to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.
David Miller is in at no. 4.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to JP Duminy. OUT! Don't know if Raina's innings with the bat justified his comeback, but this catch certainly shows why he was and still is regarded one of the best fielders India have. This is bowled full on middle and leg, Duminy was unable to find the gaps and hence decides to take the aerial route. He flick-chips it in the air towards square leg. Raina runs back there from inside the circle even as Chahal runs in from the deep. The calling was clear enough for the former to pouch that with ease. The elation on his face after catching that is justified. South Africa lose two inside the first five overs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Reeza Hendricks. Straight ball around middle, clipped towards mid-wicket for one.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to JP Duminy. Quick run. Duminy taps it towards mid-wicket and hares to the other end.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to JP Duminy. Angling away on a length, JP stands back and guides it straight to short third man.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to JP Duminy. Length ball on the stumps, defended off the back foot.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Reeza Hendricks. Around middle and leg, worked away through mid-wicket for one. A slight fumble from Rohit there allows the run to be completed easily.
Jaydev Unadkat to JP Duminy. On a length around middle and leg, clipped away through mid-wicket for a brace. That gets him going.
Jaydev Unadkat to JP Duminy. Short in length, pulled to mid-wicket.
Jaydev Unadkat to Reeza Hendricks. Glided towards point for a single.
Jaydev Unadkat to Reeza Hendricks. Length ball slanting away, Hendricks moves across to the off side to heave it to the on side. Misses the ball completely.
Jaydev Unadkat to JP Duminy. Length ball, Duminy misses the flick and the ball goes off the thigh pads towards square leg for a leg bye.
Jaydev Unadkat to Reeza Hendricks. Length ball around middle and leg, a bit of shape in is seen on that. Reeza gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball rolls to the off side, resulting in a single.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Reeza Hendricks. On a length around middle and leg, worked away through mid-wicket for one. A successful over from Kumar ends.
Skipper Jean-Paul Duminy replaces Smuts in the middle.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to JJ Smuts. OUT! Kumar provides the breakthrough! Excellent catch from Dhawan. Full length ball on off and middle, Smuts looks to clip it away to the on side. Ends up getting a top edge that stays in the air perennially. It floats towards mid-wicket. Dhawan from the deep comes forward a bit and hangs onto that comfortably. It was the knuckle ball and hence Smuts was through with his shot a bit early. The Proteas need 175 more to win.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Reeza Hendricks. Length ball on the pads, worked away through mid-wicket for one.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Reeza Hendricks. SIX! Eased away! Yes, the result and this description may not match but that's how it is. Full outside off, Hendricks just chips it aerially over mid off. Such is the contact that the bail soars over the fence easily.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to JJ Smuts. Kumar delivers it around off and middle, Smuts comes down the track and blocks it to the on side for one.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Reeza Hendricks. Hurled on a length on leg, flicked away off the pads for one.
Jaydev Unadkat to JJ Smuts. FOUR! Third boundary of the over, the best of the lot. Overpitched outside off, Smuts clears his front leg and drives it through the gap between mid off and covers for a boundary. 14 runs off this over.
Jaydev Unadkat to JJ Smuts. FOUR! Mistimed but has enough. This is bowled on a length on the stumps, Smuts looks to go over the bowler's head. Does so but off the outer half. Has enough on it to clear mid on and go to the fence.
Jaydev Unadkat to Reeza Hendricks. Flicked away off the pads through square leg for one.
Jaydev Unadkat to Reeza Hendricks. Almost edged! Length ball angling away, Hendricks looks to drive on the up but misses.
Jaydev Unadkat to Reeza Hendricks. WIDE! Ouch! Hope Unadkat is alright. He slips and falls as he delivers this one, thereby losing control of the ball. Ends up spraying the delivery well outside the tramline. It goes on a couple of bounces to the keeper. The others check on him and he is good to continue.
Jaydev Unadkat to Reeza Hendricks. FOUR! Shot! Length ball angling away, Reeza stands tall and punches it through covers. The fielder there puts in the dive but is unable to make contact with the ball. The ball races away to the fence.
Jaydev Unadkat to Reeza Hendricks. Fuller on the stumps, pushed back to the bowler.
Jaydev Unadkat to steam in from the other end. No slips for him, though a ring stands in guard on the off side.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to JJ Smuts. How could that miss the stumps as well as the edge? This is hurled on a length around middle. The ball nips away just a touch after pitching. Smuts stays back and looks to whip it away to the on side but ends up missing it completely. The ball passes just over the stumps. Kumar cannot believe it. Decent start for India.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to JJ Smuts. Full and swinging away just a touch, Smuts looks to go downtown but misses.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to JJ Smuts. This one is punched off the back foot towards covers.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Reeza Hendricks. Edged! On a length outside off, Hendricks gets squared up a touch. Gets it off the outside edge towards third man for a single. Off the mark in not a great fashion.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to JJ Smuts. Fuller on the stumps, turned through mid-wicket for a single.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to JJ Smuts. FOUR! South Africa and Smuts are off in a flash! Hurled on a length outside off, Jon-Jon stands back and punches it through point. Pandey dives to his right from backward point but can do nothing to prevent the ball from racing away to the fence.
Welcome back. 204 will be the figure the Proteas will be after. Jon-Jon Smuts and Reeza Hendricks are the openers for South Africa. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will start with the ball first up. One slip in place.