India beat South Africa by 61 runs in the first T20I match in Durban. On Friday (November 8), Sanju Samson and Varun Chakravarthy combined to extend India’s dominance over South Africa – the team they beat to win the T20 World Cup earlier this year. This victory helped India extend their unbeaten run at the venue, winning their 5th match at the venue out of 7 matches.

Beloved venue of the famous bowl-out between India and Pakistan, India once again put in a clinical performance with bat and ball. Sent to bat first in cloudy conditions, India first made 202/8 in the first innings and then successfully bowled out South Africa for 141 in 17.5 overs.

The victory was orchestrated by a superb 47-ball hundred from Sanju Samson and then a middle-order block from Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi that stifled South Africa’s famous middle-order outfit in the second innings of the match .

SA vs IND, 1st T20I: Match Report

Perhaps the only blemish in India’s victory was the middle order which collapsed at the end of the first innings. However, captain Suryakumar Yadav was not too concerned about the team and said that aggressive intent would lead to such risks.

India are unlikely to change the batting order as they would like their best players to do better and give others another chance in the tour. They might, however, opt to change their bowling combination for the second T20I, just to check the strength of their bench.

SA vs IND, 1st T20I: full scorecard

Possible changes

Axar Patel was barely used in the bowling attack. The spin-bowling all-rounder received just one ball and hit only 7 balls in the first innings. It is possible that Axar will be rested for the 2nd match and in his place Ramandeep Singh will enter the team. Ramandeep is coming off an incredible Indian Premier League and is set to make his debut on the tour.

The other change could perhaps be in the fast bowling department. Avesh Khan could be rested for Yash Dayal or Vijaykumar Vyshak, who are also in contention for their debuts.

India’s predicted XI

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (week), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel/Ramandeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan/Vijaykumar Vyshak/Yash Dayal