South Africa won the toss, and captain Aiden Markram elected to field first, backing the team’s confidence in chasing down any target. The Proteas started brightly with the ball when Lungi Ngidi removed Shubman Gill for just four runs off the third ball of the match. 

But India quickly regained control, posting a formidable 175/6 in their 20 overs. 

Hardik Pandya launches against Keshav Maharaj. Photo: Cricinfo

Hardik Pandya led the charge with the bat, smashing a brilliant 59 not out off 28 balls, which included six boundaries and four towering sixes. Tilak Varma contributed 26 off 32, while Axar Patel chipped in with a handy 23 from 21 deliveries.

Ngidi was the pick of the South African bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/31 from his four overs. Lutho Sipamla took 2/38, and Donovan Ferreira claimed 1/13 in his two overs.

Chasing 176, the Proteas would have backed themselves with a line-up featuring Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, and David Miller. But it was not to be as Arshdeep Singh struck immediately, dismissing De Kock for a duck with just the second ball of the innings.

Brevis offered a glimpse of hope, racing to 22 off 14 balls, while Markram and Stubbs managed 14 apiece. As Marco Jansen tried to inject some intent, he was dismissed for 12. 

Beyond that, no other batter scored more than five as India’s bowlers ran rampant. Axar Patel was the standout with the ball, finishing with 2/7 from two overs, while Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy all claimed two wickets each.

Speaking after the heavy defeat, Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince didn’t hold back. He admitted the team was simply not good enough with the bat and stressed the need for improvement ahead of their next game on Thursday.

Axar Patel and India celebrate the wicket of Aiden Markram. Photo: Cricinfo

“Yeah, there have been a lot of changes in terms of personnel with injuries and so on, but we don’t want to use that as an excuse,” said Prince. “Every match we put XI out there, we expect to win, regardless of injuries. 

“I think the stats speak for themselves. We need to find more consistency. After a batting performance like this, that’s one area we’ll have to improve quickly.

“The Indian bowlers are a formidable attack, and they asked plenty of good questions tonight. As a batter, you’ve got to be able to answer those questions, and tonight, we weren’t up to the task.”

The second T20 International between India and South Africa will be played on Thursday in New Chandigarh.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh