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India vs South Africa, 1st T20I: Shikhar Dhawan’s fifty, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 5-for and other highlights from Wanderers

Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar starred for India in the first Twenty20 international against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium.

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India lead the series 1-0 against South Africa © AFP
India lead the T20I series 1-0 against South Africa © AFP

India carried their good form from the ODIs into the T20Is against South Africa. It was Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s that helped India topple Proteas by 28 runs in the first T20I at Wanderers. It was not all gloomy for the hosts’ as Reeza Hendricks and Farhaan Behardien stood out with their performances.

Junior Dala halts India’s brisk start: Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina came out as men obsessed with runs. The pair provided some excitement for the crowd during their respective stays. Junior Dala, making his T20I debut for South Africa, stopped the duo’s march. Rohit was undone by extra bounce, while Raina was out due to uncalled haste.

Shikhar Dhawan’s power packed 72: Unfazed with wickets falling on one end, Dhawan continued to make merry. He looked in smashing touch from the word go. His flicks, pulls and drives were a treat to the eye for fans. Dhawan reached his 4th T20I fifty in merely 27 balls.

He top-scored with 72 run as India managed 203 in 20 overs.

Tabraiz Shamsi sprints: It took a special ball by Tabraiz Shamsi to get rid of Virat Kohli. Kohli, who has been in the form of his life, was beaten by pace and length. The ball trapped him on the back leg and, as DRS suggested, it was hitting his leg stump.

Shamsi almost ran near the wicketkeeper to get a decision from the umpire.

Reeza Hendricks’ maiden T20I fifty: Reeza Hendricks was the stand-out performer for South Africa. He stood his ground at Wanderers despite a sorry batting show by the home side. Hendricks displayed both aggressive and defensive batting styles during his knock. He went on to record his first T20I fifty.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s maiden 5-for: Bhuvneshwar picked the key wickets of JJ Smuts, Reeza Hendricks, JP Duminy, Heinrich Klaasen and Chris Morris. This was his maiden 5-wicket haul in T20Is. Despite on the economical side, Bhuvneshwar was devoid of wickets in the ODIs. He used the knuckle ball to maximum effect, apart from reaping rewards for his tight bowling at Johannesburg.

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