Arshdeep, Chahar swing the contest India’s way as it thumps South Africa to take a 1-0 lead 

Harshal and Ashwin lend good support with the ball; the home team crosses the finish line with eight wickets and 3.2 overs to spare; Rahul and Suryakumar come up with unbeaten fifties

In front of one of the bluest seas of spectators you would ever see, India’s new-ball bowlers came up with a superlative show of swing bowling on a starless Wednesday night.

The cream of the South African batting had no answer to Deepak Chahar and Arshdeep Singh, neither of whom had figured in the recent series against Australia. They broke the back of the formidable Proteas batting and justified their captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl first in the opening T20I at the Greenfield Stadium.

South Africa could make only 106 for eight. Despite a slow start, which saw India registering its lowest PowerPlay score of 17 for one, the host romped home with 3.2 overs to spare, much to the delight of the massive crowd, which would have probably liked to see a few more big hits. They nevertheless were able to witness some brilliant bowling by India up front, as the visitors slid to nine for five inside the third over.

It all began with the last ball of the first over. After swinging three balls, back-to-back, away from the South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, Chahar moved one in. The middle stump was knocked off as the ball sneaked through the gate. In the second ball of the next over, Arshdeep incredibly struck thrice. The young left-armer had Quinton de Kock playing away from his body only to get dismissed playing on. That happened on the second ball.

Three balls later, Rilee Rossouw was caught behind, for a golden duck, by Rishabh Pant off one that moved away. Off the next ball the dangerous David Miller was bowled an inswinger. When Aiden Markram (25, 24b) , who had been giving a good account of himself on a challenging track against the moving ball, perished lbw to Harshal Patel, South Africa was reduced to 42 for six.

Thanks to the useful contributions down the order from Wayne Parnell (24, 37b) and Keshav Maharaj (41, 35b, 5x4, 2x6), South Africa went past the 100-mark. That never was going to be enough, especially against a batting line-up featuring an in-form Suryakumar Yadav.

Suryakumar (50 n.o., 33b, 5x4, 3x6) and K.L. Rahul (51 n.o., 56b, 2x4, 4x6) added 93 for the unfinished third wicket to frustrate South Africa and both played some dazzling strokes.