India vs South Africa: Fan breaches security to enter ground, touch Rohit Sharma's feet during 1st T20I
India Today
India vs South Africa, 1st T20I: A fan breached security and managed to enter the ground to touch the feet of India captain Rohit Sharma in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. Rohit-led India beat South Africa by 8 wickets.
A fan breached security to enter the ground and managed to touch the feet of India captain Rohit Sharma during the first T20I against South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram.
The incident took place during India's fielding innings at Greenfield International Stadium on Wednesday, September 28. Rohit Sharma was welcomed to the venue with his colossal cut-out at the venue for the opening match.
Left-arm India fast bowler Arshdeep Singh set the tone of the match as he took three wickets in the second over, leaving the South African dugout shocked. Arshdeep removed Quinton de Kock (1), and Rilee Rossouw and David Miller for golden ducks. In no time, South Africa slipped to 9/5 as Deepak Chahar piled misery on the visitors.
Aiden Markram and Wayne Parnell fought back but their effort didn't last long as Harshal Patel trapped Markram in front for 25 and Axar Patel sent Parnell packing for 24. Towards the end, Keshav Maharaj fighting knock of 41 off 35 lifted South Africa to 106/8.
In reply, India had a horrendous start. Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a two-ball duck by Kagiso Rabada. Soon, former captain Virat Kohli followed Rohit back to the dugout as Anrich Nortje removed Kohli cheaply for three. In spite of early hiccups, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav recovered the hosts, with Rahul playing the role of second fiddle.
Both Suryakumar (50* off 33) and Rahul (51* off 56) brought up their fifties and took India home on a tricky pitch with 20 balls to spare. The victory in the opening T20I helped Rohit Sharma surpass MS Dhoni for most T20I wins as India captain in a year. Rohit now has 16 wins as India captain this year, one more than Dhoni had in 2016.
India will take on South Africa in the second T20I at Guwahati on October 2.
