South Africa beat India in the first of a five-match T20I series at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday (June 9). The rampaging South African pair of David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen blasted half-centuries to chase down the mark with five balls to go and take a 1-0 series lead.
Team India featured a fresh pace attack in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, and Avesh Khan in the first match, but none of them were able to stop the ravaging South Africans.
India were in charge after setting up a target of 211/4 and reducing the Proteas to 156/3 at the conclusion of the 16th over in the chase. As the impulse moved towards South Africa, Harshal Patel and Bhuvneshwar Kumar conceded 44 runs in only two overs at the end.
Avesh Khan, on the other side, conceded 35 runs in his four overs at an economy rate of 8.75. It would be enticing to replace Avesh with Arshdeep, who bowls particularly effectively towards the death overs.
Meanwhile, in high-scoring first T20 International against South Africa, Indian bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar stated the bowlers let down stand-in captain Rishabh Pant.
“He’s a young captain and it was his first match. I’m sure he will try to do better and improve as the series progresses. Generally the captain is as good as the team and it’s a team effort. Our bowling did not go off well and let him down. If we did well then you would have hailed his decision-making skills. I’m sure he will do well,” Bhuvneshwar Kumar said during the pre-match press conference.