The reigning world champions, who edged South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, were sent in to bat first and made full use of the conditions, piling on a mammoth 240/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Wicketkeeper-opener Ishan Kishan set the tone at the top, smashing a rapid 53 off just 20 balls before retiring out.

Tilak Varma kept the momentum rolling with a fluent 45 off 19 deliveries, before being bowled by Marco Jansen. Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya also chipped in with brisk knocks of 30 apiece as India flexed their batting depth.

Jansen was the pick of the South African bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 1/8 from two overs, while teenage speedster Kwena Maphaka returned 1/19.

The captains, Aiden Markram and Suryakumar Yadav. Photo: Cricinfo

In reply, the Proteas showed plenty of fight but were restricted to 210/7 from their 20 overs. Tristan Stubbs top-scored with a blistering 45 not out off 21 balls, while Ryan Rickelton struck 44 off 21. 

Both batters were late additions to the World Cup squad following injuries to Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira, and grabbed their opportunities with both hands.

Captain Aiden Markram added 38 off 19 balls before retiring out, while Jason Smith contributed 35 and Jansen provided late fireworks with 31 off 16.

Abhishek Sharma was the standout among the nine Indian bowlers used, claiming 2/32 in three overs. Axar Patel was miserly with 1/2 in his lone over, while Varun Chakravarthy picked up 1/12 from two overs.

Speaking after the match, former Proteas all-rounder and current special consultant to the coaching staff Albie Morkel admitted that bowling in Indian conditions remains one of the toughest challenges in world cricket, but he believes there is still time to adapt.

“We saw tonight, and also during the series South Africa played in India a couple of weeks ago, as well as what New Zealand have experienced, that it’s a brutal environment as a bowler,” said Morkel.

“There’s not a lot of bounce in the wickets. It’s really low, skiddy bounce, with plenty of dew in the evening, so as a bowler you’ve definitely got your work cut out.”

Morkel also praised Lungi Ngidi’s response after a tough start, with the seamer recovering well to finish with figures of 0/23 from three overs after conceding 14 in his opening over.

“After that first over, he came back beautifully, and that’s probably going to be his role in the team,” Morkel added.

Marco Jansen. Photo: Cricinfo

“He’s one of the seamers who has a really good slower ball, and he’ll be looking to use that a lot more as the tournament goes on.

“I’m really looking forward to the tournament – it’s going to be a good one.”

The Proteas will now travel to Ahmedabad, where they open their World Cup campaign against Canada on Monday, with the first ball set to be bowled at 15:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs