Kohli limps off as India beat S.Africa

VIRAT KOHLI limped off the field before India completed another dominant performance over South Africa in the first Twenty20 international at the Wanderers Stadium yesterday.

Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were mainly responsible for India’s 28-run win, just two days after the tourists completed a 5-1 thrashing of the hosts in a one-day international series.

India captain Kohli left the field 13 overs into South Africa’s innings after suffering a left leg strain while batting.

“I tweaked my glute a little bit. Thankfully it’s not my hamstring,” he said. “I felt a little more stiffness (in the field) so I decided to go off and not be stupid and tear a muscle.”

Dhawan made 72 in an Indian total of 203 for five after they were sent in to bat.

Then opening bowler Kumar produced a masterly display as he claimed career-best figures of five for 24 as South Africa were restricted to 175 for nine.

Kumar took the first two wickets and put a clamp on South Africa’s scoring rate with an opening spell of two for 19 in three overs, displaying superb control and changes of pace.

South Africa were outplayed once again despite a fourth wicket partnership of 81 off 54 balls between Reeza Hendricks (70) and Farhaan Behardien (39) with India superior in all departments.

South Africa were without star batsman AB de Villiers, who was ruled out of the series after suffering a blow to his left knee ahead of the sixth one-day international in Centurion on Friday.

India also suffered an injury blow, with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav missing because of a thumb injury suffered in Centurion when India completed a 5-1 series win. – AFP