Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar shine as India begin T20I series in style - See pics

Johannesburg, Feb 18: India's domination in limited overs cricket rolled on unabated as they cantered to a 28-run victory over South Africa in the first T20 International, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series here on Sunday (February 18).

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Shikhar Dhawan smashed his fourth Twenty20 half-century, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in T20I to emerge as the architects of the victory at the Wanderers.

Dhawan smashed a 39-ball 72 studded with 10 fours and two sixes to power India to a challenging 203 for 5 after South Africa won the toss and elected to field.

Pacer Bhuvneshwar then returned with figures of 4-0-24-5 to restrict South Africa to 175 for nine, despite opener Reeza Hendricks's 50-ball 70-run innings.

Chasing 204, South Africa made a quick start with opener Jon-Jon Smuts (14) and Hendricks putting on 29 off 17 balls as Jaydev Unadkat (1-33) was expensive in his opening spell.

Smuts skied one off Bhuvneshwar and Dhawan took a well-judged catch at mid-on. Two overs later, Raina took a similarly well-judged catch running back from mid-wicket, this time sending back JP Duminy (3) off Bhuvneshwar as well as the hosts managed only 41/2 at the end of the powerplays.

Another skier, this time off David Miller's bat (9) was also taken by Dhawan as Hardik Pandya (1-45) reduced South Africa to 48/3.

With a mountain to climb, Hendricks was joined in the task by Ferhaan Behardien who smacked 39 off 27 balls, inclusive of three fours and two sixes. He put on 81 runs for the 4th wicket with Hendricks and brought some measure of stability to the South African innings.

Hendricks reached his maiden T20 half-century off 37 balls while Jasprit Bumrah (0-32) had a moment of brilliance at the boundary, pulling the ball back in with an acrobatic jump. But it was six still, as per new rules, as his last touch was on the rope.

South Africa crossed 100 in the 12th over even as the asking rate touched 13 per over. Yuzvendra Chahal (1-39) took some stick but finally managed to dismiss Behardien and got breakthrough India were looking.

Heinrich Klaasen (16) threw his bat around as the Proteas crossed 150. But Bhuvneshwar returned to deal them a quick double blow, removing both Klaasen and Hendricks in the space of four balls. New man-in Chris Morris departed for a golden duck as he was caught in the similar fashion like Klaasen, giving Bhuvneshwar his five-wicket haul.

Here are the images from the first T20I:

Junior Dala impresses in debut game

Pacer Junior Dala, who made his T20I debut for South Africa, got the wickets of Rohit Sharma (21 off 9) and Suresh Raina (15 off 7) early on.

On a batting beauty at the Wanderers, Rohit and Dhawan got off to a flying start as they put on 23 off only 11 balls.

Raina plays a handy cameo in comeback game

Suresh Raina was making a comeback into the side after a big gap. Started playing aggressively but couldn't stay for longer at the crease. He was dismissed for 15 while trying to slog the bowlers.

Surprisingly, Suresh Raina (15) came out at no.3 and played a handy little cameo. India had hit 5 sixes before the fifth over was completed.

Raina and Dhawan put on 26 runs off 13 balls, with the former smashing two fours and a six. Raina skied a pull shot off Dala and the bowler gleefully accepted the catch. He has been dropped on 7* at mid-off by Ferhaan Behardien earlier.

Dhawan slams 4th T20I fifty

Dhawan smashed a 39-ball 72 studded with 10 fours and two sixes to power India to a challenging 203 for 5 after South Africa won the toss and elected to field.

The left-handed batsman was lucky early in his innings. In the fourth over, the opener had tried to play a flick shot off Junior Dala and the ball grazed his gloves. South Africa made an half-hearted appeal but it was called a wide by the umpire.

Kohli trapped by Shamsi

Virat Kohli (26 off 20 balls) too got an early life from Ferhaan Behardien as he grassed a simple catch at long on off Tabraiz Shamsi (1-37).

The India skipper and Dhawan marched on quickly as India were placed at 78/2 after the powerplays. The duo put on 50 off just 25 balls as India crossed 100 in the 9th over.

Shamsi, however, returned to trap Kohli lbw in the 10th over and while the Indian skipper called for DRS, the decision remained in the bowler's favour.

Manish Pandey remains unbeaten on 29

Manish Pandey (29 not out) added 47 runs for the fourth wicket with Dhawan. India lost a bit of momentum in their innings as Pandey and MS Dhoni (16) added only 28 off 21 balls before the latter was bowled by Chris Morris (1-39) in the penultimate over.

Dhoni scores 16 off 11 balls

MS Dhoni kept his wicket intact after walking into the middle after Dhawan's dismissal at a crucial juncture. Dhoni (16) added only 28 off 21 balls before the latter was bowled by Chris Morris (1-39) in the penultimate over.

Bhuvneshwar grabs a fifer

The senior strike pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in T20I to emerge as the architect of India's victory at the Wanderers.

Bhuvneshwar then returned with figures of 4-0-24-5 to become second Indian bowler to grab a fifer in the T20I. He's also the first Indian bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in all three formats of the game.

Reeza Hendricks slams maiden fifty

Opener Reeza Hendricks slammed his maiden T20I fifty and remained the highest run getter for his side. Hendricks was joined in the task by Ferhaan Behardien who smacked 39 off 27 balls, inclusive of three fours and two sixes.

He put on 81 runs for the 4th wicket with Hendricks and brought some measure of stability to the South African innings. Hendricks reached his maiden T20 half-century off 37 balls.

Dhoni effects another run out

MS Dhoni effected another run out. India were very effective in the field and took some brilliant catches.

Bumrah's acrobatic effort

Jasprit Bumrah (0-32) had a moment of brilliance at the boundary, pulling the ball back in with an acrobatic jump. But it was six still, as per new rules, as his last touch was on the rope.