The thrilling encounter at a packed Wanderers in Johannesburg ended in a tie, before JSK held their nerve in the one-over shootout to secure their first home win of the season and climb to the top of the log. Batting first at the Bullring, the Super Kings posted a formidable 205/4 from their 20 overs. 

USA international Shubham Ranjane anchored the innings superbly with an unbeaten 50 off 31 balls, finding the fence four times and clearing it twice. Captain Faf du Plessis set the tone up front with a fluent 47 off 30 deliveries, while Matthew de Villiers chipped in with a valuable 38.

Donovan Ferreira. Photo: Cricinfo

The real fireworks came at the death as Donovan Ferreira produced a breathtaking cameo of 33 not out from just 10 balls, smashing one four and four towering sixes to give the innings a decisive late surge.

With the ball, Afghanistan spin sensation Noor Ahmad was outstanding on the Highveld, returning remarkable figures of 3/12 from his four overs. Veteran off-spinner Simon Harmer also played his part, picking up 1/22.

In reply, the Super Giants took the game right down to the wire in a pulsating chase that swung one way and then the other. Former Northern Cape Heat all-rounder Evan Jones kept DSG firmly in the hunt with a blistering 43 off just 17 balls, while skipper Aiden Markram held the innings together with a composed 37 off 30.

Needing a single off the final ball to win, Harmer and Eathan Bosch attempted a risky dash, but Bosch was run out by the alert Donovan Ferreira. DSG closed on 205/8, forcing the first-ever Super Over in SA20 history.

While initially expensive with the ball, England seamer Richard Gleeson finished as the pick of the JSK bowlers with 3/41 from his four overs. Spinner Akeal Hosein also impressed with 3/31, while Ferreira capped off a fine all-round display with 1/24.

The drama continued as DSG batted first in the Super Over, but disciplined bowling from Gleeson restricted them to just 5/1.

JSK then needed six to seal a famous win. Rilee Rossouw got them off to the perfect start with a fortunate four off the first ball, before finishing the contest in style two deliveries later with a sumptuous cover drive that raced to the boundary, sparking wild celebrations at the Wanderers.

Shubham Ranjane. Photo: Cricinfo

The action continues this weekend, starting with a Cape derby on Friday as the Paarl Royals host defending champions MI Cape Town at Boland Park from 17:30.

On Saturday, JSK will face two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape at the Wanderers from 13:00, before the focus shifts to SuperSport Park at 17:30, where the Pretoria Capitals take on the Durban Super Giants.

Sunday sees the return leg of the Cape derby, with MI Cape Town hosting the Royals at Newlands from 15:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh