India won the first T20I of the 2024 series against South Africa at Kingsmead Durban by 61 runs on November 8 with incisive batting, bowling, and breathtaking fielding display. India put up a competitive score of 202/8 in its account, with the particular inning coming through Sanju Samson. Samson’s batting which included boundaries and sixes ensured the Indian score while aggression kept the scoreboard moving, he was given the coveted Man of the Match award for his splendid performance of 107 in 50 balls with 10 sixes and 7 fours. His innings was specifically indicative of India’s intention to keep scoring at a fast pace which has emerged as the blueprint for the Indian cricket team in T20 format in recent time.
South Africa was put on the back foot when an Indian pacer, Arshdeep Singh, dismissed the captain, Aiden Markram, in his very first over. This was however a breakthrough as it altered South Africa’s plan towards achieving a set steady start. Remove Pant and Shivam Dube, and Indian spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy were introduced and this upped their game. The spin twins Bishnoi and Chakravarthy got six wickets in between them in the first eight overs bowled while they conceded only 53 runs. Indeed, this effective spin duo exploited the conditions to dismiss south Africa’s middle order and prevented them from establishing any particulate cumulatives. The Indian bowlers and fielding restricted the hosts at 141 in 17.5 overs with pressure built up through fine tactics and planning.
The last ray of hope for South Africa was still visible in batted by South African batsman Gerald Coetzee he tried to respond similarly to India’s total and tried to play aggressive shots but he was run out. Speaking to Star Sports, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said, “We have wanted to maintain an unfettered, unrestrained kind of cricket in recent series and the fearlessness has worked.”
As for South Africa the change in the top gears as well as an upgrade to the middle gears plans will be the required components for them to be able to try their chances on the series. Aiden Markram said that “his team could have been more improved at the start of the series and also observed that the Indian spinners have been very useful and there are chances that South Africa in the following series might approach differently to face spin bowling”
This victory put India ahead 1-0 and kept up Indian’s good show at Durban which has always suited them in T20Is. India is therefore under pressure to maintain the series momentum as South Africa gets a breather with the second T20 due for a November 10 showdown.