Thanks to steller batting performance by Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan and pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India managed to beat South Africa in a thrilling match by 28 runs.
South African skipper JP Duminy won the toss and invited India to bat first. India started well with Shikhar Dhawan scoring 72 runs in 39 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes). At the end, India managed to put up a total of 203 runs in 20 overs.
For South Africa, Reeza Hendricks smashed 70 runs in 50 balls, but it was Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar who stole the show, picking up five wickets. He became the first Indian pacer to take a five-wicket haul in a T20I match. At the end of 20 overs, South Africa were 175/9, losing by 28 runs. Bhuvi was named the ‘Man of the Match’ for his brilliant performance.
Here is how Twitter reacted to India’s win:
What a fantastic start to the T20I series by #TeamIndia🇮🇳 Excellent batting from @SDhawan25 and very clever blowing by @BhuviOfficial to wrap things up. Let's aim for more such performances. #SAvIND
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 18, 2018
Well begun is half done. Great start to the T20 series. Great striking from @SDhawan25 and brilliant bowling by the trickster @BhuviOfficial . Great victory #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/TxfeAEUjFO
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 18, 2018
India after the test series hammering SA so convincingly like they were beating Sri Lanka a few months back. Ruthlessness is good to see #SAvsIND
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 18, 2018
Good win and an amazing spell from @BhuviOfficial welcome to the club bro. Let's keep the wins coming 🇮🇳#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/PK5GhL7QT4
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) February 18, 2018
Another emphatic win for #TeamIndia in South Africa. Well done boys. Congratulations to @BhuviOfficial for his maiden 5-wicket haul in T20Is. @BCCI
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) February 18, 2018
Congratulations India on another clinical victory. Brilliant innings from Shikhar and another wonderful spell from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a five wicket haul. #SAvsIND
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 18, 2018
Bhuvi's 5-fer changed the equation for #TeamIndia who win the 1st #SAvIND T20I by 28 runs and take the lead in the 3-match series. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/RE1KRzK28i
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 18, 2018
It’s all over! 🇿🇦 kept fighting but it’s 🇮🇳 who come out with flying colours! #TeamIndia win the 1st T20I against #SouthAfrica by 28 runs and go take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match T20I series. Well played, Sheron! #SAvIND #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 18, 2018
A career-best spell of 5/24 from @BhuviOfficial ensures India's win in the first T20I!
It was yet another clinical performance from the #MenInBlue.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/0m9gQwNwGK
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) February 18, 2018
🇮🇳 – 203/5, win by 28 runs
🇿🇦 – 175/9A thumping victory for #TeamIndia as they go 1-0 up in the T20I series. Dhawan's prolific batting (72) and Bhuvneshwar's 5-fer (5/24) didn't let the Proteas get anywhere close to the target!
PC : BCCI#SAvIND #KorboLorboJeetbo pic.twitter.com/BjHenIu4QB
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) February 18, 2018
India triumph against South Africa again! This time it's in the shorter format, and this time it's by 28 runs in Johannesburg! They take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series.#SAvIND Scorecard ➡️https://t.co/lIZWE2HXhd pic.twitter.com/BM44zjgzbx
— ICC (@ICC) February 18, 2018
Congratulations to #TeamIndia on winning the first #T20 match by 28 runs. Brilliant innings from @SDhawan25 and Congrats @BhuviOfficial on becoming 1st indian to take a five wicket haul in T20 . #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/oUStMfriAI
— Daler Mehndi (@dalermehndi) February 18, 2018
Performance at its best! To a cricket fan, today is what a happy day looks like! Spectacular bowling by @BhuviOfficial!! Congratulations #TeamIndia!! #INDvSA #T20 pic.twitter.com/rGWWDHmDvH
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) February 18, 2018
