From bad to worse as Proteas wilt again

The rampant Indian side hit SA hard, beating the hosts by 28 runs in the first T20 yesterday.

Seven overs was all it took to send the top order packing.

The rampant Indian side hit South Africa hard from the outset and the Proteas never really recovered as they went down by 28 runs in the first T20 international at the Wanderers on Sunday.

It means the tourists, confidence ever-growing, have now won seven of the last eight matches between the sides, and they made their intentions of bossing the home team clear from the outset as they raced to 50 off just 29 balls after being sent in to bat.

Debutant Junior Dala struck twice inside the first four overs to remove Rohit Sharma (21 off 9) and Suresh Raina (15 off 7), but at the other end, Dane Paterson conceded 31 in his first two overs. It was hard to understand why the international novice was given the first over instead of the more experienced Chris Morris, who was one of South Africa’s better bowlers on the night.

Shikhar Dhawan hit 72 off just 39 balls and although South Africa pulled the run-rate back in the middle overs through Tabraiz Shamsi, Andile Phehlukwayo and Jon-Jon Smuts, who bowled eight overs for 67 runs between them, India still managed to post 203/5, their highest ever T20 score against South Africa. It was more than enough. Some lusty blows from Smuts provided a bright start, but the South African top-order was blown away inside the first seven overs with JP Duminy (3) and David Miller (9) both failing again.

Opener Reeza Hendricks, in just his 10th match for the Proteas, stood firm and composed and he and Farhaan Behardien (39 off 27) provided a shift in momentum as they added 81 off 54 balls for the fourth wicket, running like the wind between the wickets and producing skilful strokes.

But once Behardien fell, failing to clear the boundary off a well-flighted leggie from Yuzvendra Chahal, the rest of the South African line-up was blown away by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who finished with a superb 5/24 in his four overs.

Once Hendricks fell for 70 off 50 balls, the home side lost their last five wickets for just 17 runs to finish on 175/9.