India vs South Africa LIVE: Arshdeep strikes early as IND defends 203

India vs South Africa 1st T20I LIVE Score: Sanju Samson becomes the first Indian to score centuries in two consecutive T20Is

South Africa prepares to host India at Kingsmead in Durban in what could be a thrilling rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup final as the two teams begin their four-match T20I series to kick off South Africa’s big home summer. Although there are many personnel changes between this exciting and famous World Cup final and the teams that will take to the field on Friday, it will still feel like this is a revenge series of sorts after the Proteas’ heartbreak Barbados act for the Proteas.

The hosts will continue to captain Aiden Markram, but he will look to replace Quinton de Kock, who ruled himself out of the series. While de Kock has not officially retired from the T20I format, CSA will look for alternatives for their talismanic left-handed opener.

Leaving aside the question of what an opening duo of Reeze Hendricks and Ryan Rickleton might look like, South Africa’s middle order will remain their strength. Aiden Markram in third is followed by a frightening 4-5-6 in the form of Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. The trio threatened to win the World Cup final for South Africa and are capable of torching even the best bowling line-ups in home conditions. India have mastered both spin and pace and will be primarily concerned with getting rid of the trio before they can do too much damage in the death overs.

South Africa is also expected to hand a debut for Durban-born Andile Simelane, an all-rounder who could add to the batting order, which has been a concern for the Proteas and their ultimate Achilles heel in Barbados. In bowling, they will be without Kagiso Rabada, who they have rested for the upcoming Tests, as well as Anrich Nortje. A combination of Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman and Marco Jansen are likely to be the frontline pacers, while Keshav Maharaj will be their spinner at Kingsmead.

Meanwhile, the visiting Indian team will be led by Suryakumar Yadav and will make a number of changes of their own throughout the lineup. A powerful and destructive opening partnership of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will be tasked with getting the powerplay going powerfully while being comfortable with the pace and bounce the series will offer.

Tilak Varma is expected to come into the starting XI after a few months away from the team, probably at number three, while other players got their chance. Tilak will want to use this opportunity to stake his claim on India’s future as a top club. Meanwhile, captain Suryakumar will retain his preferred fourth spot in the middle order. Hardik Pandya seems to have reached number five with his ability to contribute on two fronts, allowing Rinku Singh to bat at number six as an all-time finisher for this Indian team. There is plenty of power in this Indian line-up, but in a transition phase they will want to start seeing consistency from players like Abhishek and Samson.

In the bowling department, Axar Patel is likely to be the number seven all-rounder, offering batting depth and control, but he will be wary of being torn to shreds by Klaasen as he did in Barbados. India are likely to have a debut all-rounder – will it be batsman Ramandeep Singh, who also provides a dynamic presence in the field, or the more typical number eight in Vijaykumar Vyshak? Vyshak’s performances with the ball are slightly better, which could lead to him getting the nod initially, but both players, including Yash Dayal, are expected to make their debut on this tour.

Finally, Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan are two players expected to start for India and their death bowling will be tested against South Africa’s powerful batting force.

Whatever the combinations, there will be powerful shots and plenty of highlights as these two teams pit their titans against each other in the first game of a hotly contested series in South Africa.

Highlights from India vs South Africa 1st T20I:

– India reached a score of 202/8 in 20 overs

– Sanju Samson scored his second consecutive T20I century in 47 balls

– Sanju Samson made his half-century off 27 balls

– Aiden Markram won the toss and South Africa bowled first

– India and South Africa meet for the first time since the T20 World Cup final

– South Africa lost 3-0 to West Indies and drew 1-1 with Ireland

– India went on a 10-match winning streak in T20Is after a surprise loss to Zimbabwe straight after the T20 World Cup final