'What a clinical performance'- Twitter rejoices as India pummel South Africa in the 1st T20I

South Africa vs India: (Image Source: Twitter)

India and South Africa locked horns with each other in the first of the 3 match T20I on Wednesday at Thiruvanathapuram in Kerala. India won the toss and made the right decision to bowl first. Ahead of the start of the game, the fans were left shocked as Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out due to back pain. However, it had little effect as Arshdeep Singh and Deepak Chahar wreaked havoc with the ball in the powerplay.

Deepak Chahar had Temba Bavuma in the first over itself. Arshdeep Singh came to bowl the second over and accounted for the wickets of Quinton de Kock, David Miller and Rilee Rossouw in just five balls. Chahar then sent Stubbs back to the hut to leave South Africa in deep trouble at 9 for 5 in 2.3 overs.

South Africa were staring down the barrel at 9-5 and needed some immediate rear guard action. Wayne Parnell provided it by playing a patient 24 from 37 balls with 1 four and 1 six. However, he too couldn't stay for too long. South Africa had lost 7 wickets for 68 runs but a handy knock of 41 runs in 35 balls from Maharaja propelled South Africa to 106 at the end of the first innings.

In the second innings, India started rather sedately as Rohit Sharma departed for a duck, thanks to a peach of a delivery from Kagiso Rabada. Virat Kohli also went early but KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav steadied the ship. They stitched a match-winning partnership of 74 from 53 balls, with both scoring respective fifties. India, as a result, chased down the score with 8 wickets in hand.

Twitter was abuzz. Let us take a look at the reactions here -

Congratulations Team India 🇮🇳 For Winning the first match vs. South Africa..All the Best for Future Matches. @BCCI @klrahul @ImRo45

— True Indian (@powerofindianbh) September 28, 2022

Carnage from quick bowlers ✅
A cautious knock from Kl Rahul ✅
Another SKY masterclass ✅

A thumping 8-wicket win for Men In Blue to go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series vs South Africa 🔥👏#SuryakumarYadav #India #INDVsSA #Cricket #T20Is pic.twitter.com/VcTzo2yw5y

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) September 28, 2022

Most ducks by South Africa in a T20I innings :

4 - vs India in 2022*
4 - vs srilanka in 2018

— Raja Sekhar Yadav (@cricketwithraju) September 28, 2022

India vs Australia 1st T20i - 55(35)
India vs South Africa 1st T20i - 51(56)

Doing well in first match of series

— Aryan Singh (@PRAryan10) September 28, 2022

Lowest T20I total at which India men claimed

3rd wicket - vs South Africa (8/3) today
4th wicket - vs South Africa (8/4) today
5th wicket - vs South Africa (9/5) today#INDvSA

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) September 28, 2022

Highest T20I score for South Africa by a number 8 batsman :

Keshav Maharaj - 41 vs India (today)
Wayne Parnell - 29* vs aus in 2011
Albie morkel - 28* vs WI in 2008

— Raja Sekhar Yadav (@cricketwithraju) September 28, 2022

9/5 was the time I realised it's India vs South Africa.
I thought it's Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings.
Poor me 😭#INDvsSA

— Melon Rusk 😎 (@CricCrazyRaj) September 28, 2022

Blown away in a blink of an eye: South Africa secure awful record after batting capitulation vs India in 1st T20I #INDvsSA

— Mr.🏌🏻‍♂️JA$$I 💌 (@_amreekan_desi) September 28, 2022

India vs South Africa today be like : #INDvsSA #INDvSA @thebharatarmy @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/kLikTP7fYL

— Chinmay Rane (@cvrane) September 28, 2022

IND vs SA 🏏
9/5 (2.3)

আজি India ই new World record বনাব চাগে ।
South Africa 🤧🤧🤧#IndianCricketTeam #T20

— GIRIN🦋 (@girin_mr) September 28, 2022