Spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi took three wickets each after Sanju Samson’s century to help India defeat South Africa in the first T20I of the four-match series here on Friday.
Chasing a target of 203, South Africa were bundled for 141 in 17.5 overs.
The hosts had an unwanted start to the run-chase as they lost skipper Aiden Markram (8) in the first over. They lost two more wickets inside the powerplay before Heinrich Klaasen (25) and David Miller (18) stitched a 42-run partnership to stabilize the innings.
However, Chakravarthy dismissed both batters in the same over to diminish all hopes of South Africa, leaving them struggling at 87-5 inside 12 overs.
Bishnoi also took two wickets in the next over to further increase South Africa’s troubles.
Gerald Coetzee played a cameo of 23 runs from 11 balls before India bundle South Africa for 141, with Chakravarthy and Bishnoi leading the bowling attack.
Avesh Khan also chipped in with two wickets, while Arshdeep Singh bagged one.
Earlier, South Africa opted to field first and drew first blood with Gerald Coetzee taking the wicket of Abhishek Sharma (7).
