Journalism of Courage
India continued their devastating ODI form into the T20I series and claimed a 28-run win over South Africa in the first match played at Johannesburg. The visitors have thus taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the star of the show as he became only the second Indian bowler to take a fifer in T20 Internationals. Shikhar Dhawan scored 72 and helped India set a total of 204 for South Africa to chase. The only time the Proteas looked capable of reaching that target was when Farhaan Behardien and Reeza Hendricks were raizing the Indian attack. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took two wickets in the powerplay and three more in the 17th over to end the South African challenge. (Source: Reuters)
Rohit Sharma ensured that India don't suffer from a sluggish start, smashing 17 runs off the first over of the match. He didn't last long though and became debutante Junior Dala's first ever international wicket. (Source: AP)
Suresh Raina, playing his first international in just over a year, replaced Rohit in the middle ahead of captain Virat Kohli. He made a quickfire 15 off 7 balls before becoming the second man to fall to Dala. (Source: BCCI)
Virat Kohli came next and he alongwith Shikhar Dhawan put up a 59 run stand for the third wicket. Kohli was then trapped LBW by Tabraiz Shamsi. (Source: Reuters)
Shikhar Dhawan acted as as an anchor for a better part of the Indian innings. By the time he was dismissed, Dhawan had made 72 off 39 balls. MS Dhoni, Manish Pandey and Hardik Pandey then pushed India to 203/5. (Source: Reuters)
After that, it was the Bhuvneshwar Kumar show. The pacer took two wickets in the powerplay and, alongwith Jaydev Unadkat, ensured that they don't cross 50 runs in that period. He only bowled one over after that but that was enough to end the South African challenge. He dimissed the dangerous Reeza Hendricks off the first ball of the 17th over and then proceeded to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen and Chris Morris off consecutive balls. He didn't get a hat-trick but Dane Paterson was run out off the next ball. (Source: BCCI)
India have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and will be looking to seal the deal in the second match to be played in Centurion. (Source: BCCI)
