Twitter Reactions: David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen make light work of 211 to take 1-0 lead

South Africa win the T20I series opener at the Arun Jaitley Stadium by seven wickets as they made light work of India’s tally of 211 in the end. David Miller (64* off 31) and Rassie van der Dussen (75* off 46) were the stars on the night for the Proteas as they shattered India’s dream of winning 13 T20Is in a row. The pair added 131 runs in 63 deliveries in an unbroken fourth wicket partnership which proved to be the game-changer. This was also their highest successful run chase in T20Is.

South Africa’s chase got off to a great start as Avesh Khan conceded 15 runs in the second over of the innings. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar rocked the Proteas early by dismissing their skipper in the next one. Dwaine Pretorius (29 off 13) was sent in early and the move paid dividends as the hard-hitting batter smacked Hardik Pandya for three sixes in his first over. South Africa were pushed on the back foot after the dismissals of Pretorius and Quinton de Kock.

But the in-form David Miller kept South Africa in the game with his blistering 22-ball half-century, and he was supported well by Rassie van der Dussen, who started slowly but switched his gears after the 16th over. The right-hander reached his seventh half-century in T20Is after smashing Harshal Patel for 22 runs in the 17th over. The pair continued on their merry way as they took advantage of some hapless bowling by the Indians in the death overs and guided South Africa home with seven wickets remaining and five balls to spare.

Indian batters took advantage of some lacklustre bowling by the South Africans

Earlier, Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bowl first. The Indian innings got off to a flier as Keshav Maharaj conceded 13 runs in the first over. The fast bowling duo of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje bowled with great pace and troubled the Indian batters early on as a couple of balls flew off the edges to the boundary ropes. The pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan added 57 runs for the opening partnership before Gaikwad was dismissed.

Shreyas Iyer joined Kishan in the middle and made his intentions clear after hitting Tabraiz Shamsi for a huge six facing only his second delivery of the match. The Indian batters were in a punishing mood against the spinners as the duo of Maharaj, and Tabraiz Shamsi conceded 70 runs in their five overs. After the dismissal of Kishan (76 off 48) and Iyer (36 off 27 balls), skipper Rishabh Pant (29 0ff 16) and Hardik Pandya (31* off 12) smashed 46 runs in just 18 deliveries as India finished with a huge total of 211/4 after their 20 overs.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Clean striking, calculated batting. This is a phenomenal partnership between @DavidMillerSA12 and @Rassie72. What stood out was their composure throughout despite high req rate. Well played @OfficialCSA 👏🏽 #INDvsSA

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 9, 2022

This series supposed to be a tough one and South Africans are making sure of it. Team india needs to sort out the bowling, Especially First 5 and last 5 overs! #INDvSA

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 9, 2022

हार से निराशा होती है लेकिन अगली बार दम दिखाकर जीत का ‘हार’ पहनने की प्रेरणा भी हार से ही मिलती है। और हां, आज ऋषभ पंत टी20 इंटरनेशनल में देश का दूसरा सबसे यंग कैप्टन बना। साउथ अफ्रीका को रन चेज की बधाई, अपनी टीम को संडे के लिए all the best.#INDvSA

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) June 9, 2022

Looks like this is the only way one can stop @DavidMillerSA12! What an amazing form he is in! pic.twitter.com/EZtLOdixev

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 9, 2022

What a chase! Looked to be going one way and then…
Miller. Awesome! Rassie did it again. Took some steeliness to hang in there.#INDvsSA #SSCricket

— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) June 9, 2022

Well played, South Africa. Expected SA to be more than competitive…losing Markram was a huge blow but didn’t make a difference in the end. Miller has started from where he’d left in the IPL…and Rassie…ufff…what a turnaround after that drop. #IndvSA

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 9, 2022

Well played, @DavidMillerSA12! #NGL, this one hurt a little… 😊👍#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/nJsYRADOyn

— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) June 9, 2022

Ishan kishan saved all his runs of IPL for this match…

— ANSHUMAN🚩 (@AvengerReturns) June 9, 2022

.@DineshKarthik returning to the Indian dressing room tonight 😄 #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/HsOFdi164F

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 9, 2022

South Africa put an end to India's T20I winning streak.

📸: IPL/ BCCI#IshanKishan #CricTracker #INDvSA #T20Is #Cricket #RishabhPant #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/0bcD6SCKNL

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 9, 2022

Ishan Kishan departs after a magnificent 76 in 48 balls. An absolute thunderous knock by Kishan, started slowly but raised the bar quickly. One of the best knock by Kishan!

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 9, 2022