• Sanju Samson's ton blew away South Africa in the first T20I.

  • India won the series opener by 62 runs.

Twitter reactions: Sanju Samson, bowlers power India to a series lead over South Africa
Sanju Samson smashes T20I century against South Africa (PC: X)

Table of Contents

India claimed a comprehensive 61-run victory over South Africa in the first T20I of their 2024 tour at Kingsmead.

Sanju Samson’s power-packed innings

Opting to bowl first, South Africa found themselves under pressure early in the innings due to Sanju Samson’s explosive batting. Samson played an extraordinary knock, scoring 107 runs off just 50 balls, smashing 7 fours and 10 sixes. His ability to clear the boundaries with ease put South Africa’s bowlers on the back foot from the start, setting the tone for a big total.

India had a few quick dismissals in between but managed to keep the scoreboard ticking thanks to contributions from other batters. Suryakumar Yadav chipped in with a brisk 21 off 17 balls, while Tilak Varma added a handy 33 off 18, including 3 fours and 2 sixes. Although Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh fell cheaply, Samson’s fireworks and late contributions from the tail helped India reach a formidable 202/8.

For South Africa, Gerald Coetzee was the standout bowler, picking up 3 wickets for 37 runs in his four overs. Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj chipped in with one wicket each, but the bowlers struggled to contain Samson’s onslaught, and the other bowlers were unable to break through consistently.

Also READ: Twitter reactions – Sanju Samson smashes multiple records with his explosive century | SA vs IND, 1st T20I

South Africa falters in the chase

Chasing a steep target of 203, South Africa needed a solid start but quickly found themselves in trouble. Opener Ryan Rickelton gave a quick start with 21 off 11 balls, but once he fell, the rest of the top order struggled to establish momentum. Aiden Markram (8 off 4) and Tristan Stubbs (11 off 11) couldn’t make a substantial impact, and South Africa were soon under pressure.

Heinrich Klaasen tried to anchor the innings with a 25-run knock off 22 balls, but with wickets falling around him, it became an uphill task for the hosts. David Miller managed 18 off 22, but India’s bowlers kept applying the pressure. Lower down the order, Coetzee showed resistance with 23 off 11 balls, including three sixes, but the target proved too daunting.

India’s bowlers were clinical, with Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi leading the charge. Chakravarthy claimed 3/25 in his four overs, while Bishnoi also picked up 3 wickets for 28 runs. Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh contributed with crucial wickets, ensuring South Africa’s chase never gained momentum. Eventually, the home team got all-out for 141 in 17.5 overs, losing the match by 62 runs.

Player of the Match

Sanju Samson was named Player of the Match for his spectacular century that set the platform for India’s victory. His aggressive batting display underscored his value to the Indian side and showed why he is considered one of the most dangerous players in the white-ball format.

Here are the reactions of fans and experts:

Also READ: SA vs IND 2024, T20I series – Broadcast, Live Streaming details | When and where to watch in India, Australia, Pakistan, USA, UK & other countries

Subscribe to Cricket Times on YouTube to watch Exclusive Interviews, Podcasts, Daily News Updates & Explainers.

TAGS:

CATEGORY: Featured India Sanju Samson South Africa Twitter Reactions

For latest cricket news and updates, subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.

About the Author:
ANIRUDH SINGH
Anirudh is the Head of Content at CricketTimes.com. He is a seasoned journalist and content writer with 12 years of experience in the field of cricket. With over 9,000 published articles under his belt, Anirudh brings a creative and strategic approach to his work, always striving to deliver content that resonates with audiences. A die-hard sports fan who loves playing, watching and talking about cricket. Cricket is his Religion & 'Sachin Tendulkar' his GOD. His motto of life is Eat, Sleep, Cricket, REPEAT!! You can write to him at anirudh@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.