South Africa have the early honors in the T20I series against India, after securing a solid win in the 2nd match at Gqeberha.

The Proteas won the toss and chose to bowl first, and that decision brought about immediate dividends. Jansen and Williams dismissed both the Indian openers, Jaiswal and Gill, without scoring. The visitors were pegged back at 6/2 after 2 overs, but the early setbacks were rather short-lived.

Tilak Varma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav went about their usual adventurous ways. After a brilliant first over, Jansen became a prime target for both players, as they scored boundaries at all angles.

But it was the World Cup superstar Gerald Coetzee who had the last laugh, right when the partnership of 49 was becoming more and more threatening.

However, the highlight of the Indian innings was Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 68. He would add 70 runs alongside his captain, and while both were in the groove, it seemed like 200 was reachable.

Then again, another excellent late fightback from the South African bowlers ensured that the situation would be even stevens at halftime. Jitesh Sharma fell cheaply, and Coetzee would return to strike twice in two balls. Finally, the rain returned with only three deliveries remaining in the Indian innings.

The rain interruption reduced the chase to 15 overs, but that was no deterrent for Matthew Breetzke and Reeza Hendricks to race away during the Powerplay.

An opening stand of 42 from 17 set the tone for a confident counterattack. Even after a poor miscommunication resulting in Breetzke’s run out, Hendricks and skipper Markram continued their salvo against an inexperienced Indian bowling unit.

South Africa remained in pole position, but India got the breakthrough they desperately needed when Markram holed out to deep square leg off Mukesh Kumar.

India would strike twice again in two overs, as a well-set Hendricks fell for 49 and the formidable Heinrich Klaasen came and went after hitting a six. It might’ve been slightly troubling, but the Proteas had the benefit of batting depth.

David Miller and Tristan Stubbs calmly negotiated the next couple of overs, but after Miller departed with 13 runs left on the board.

In the end, the strong start proved to be the decisive factor, and Andile Phehlukwayo ended things with a monstrous pull shot.

This is just the outcome the new-look Proteas needed, as their preparation for next year’s T20WC continues. But take nothing away from India’s power-packed batting lineup. Another cracker of a contest awaits us at the Wanderers.

IND 180/7 in 19.3 overs (Rinku 68*, Suryakumar 56 – Coetzee 3.3-0-32-3, Shamsi 4-0-18-1)

SA 154/5 in 13.5 overs (Hendricks 49)