South Africa vs India 1st T20I Awards List: Complete List of Award Winners, Player of the Match, Key Stats

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India's dominance in T20Is was evident as they triumphed over South Africa in the first T20I on Friday. Sanju Samson shone with the bat, leading India to a 61-run victory in Durban. This win gives India a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram, chose to field first on an overcast afternoon. Initially, it seemed like a wise decision. However, Sanju Samson quickly became the focal point of the match rather than the South African bowlers.

Samson continued his aggressive play and formed a crucial partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav. Together, they added 66 runs in just 37 balls. After Suryakumar's dismissal, Samson carried on and achieved his second T20I century. He became the first Indian to score consecutive T20I centuries. Arshdeep Singh gave India an early breakthrough by dismissing Aiden Markram in the first over. Varun Chakravarthy got the crucial wickets of David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen to cripple the South Africa run chase. Gerald Coetzee attempted to fight back for South Africa with some powerful shots but couldn't bridge the gap left by earlier dismissals. The Proteas' tailenders fell short of expectations as they were bowled out for just 141 runs.

Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi were instrumental in India's bowling success, each taking three wickets. Avesh Khan also contributed by claiming two wickets during South Africa's innings. The two teams will lock horns in the 2nd ODI on Sunday (November 10) in Gqeberha.

India vs South Africa 1st T20I Awards List: Complete List of Award Winners

MMT Maximum Longest Six of the Match: Ryan Rickelton (SA) - 104 metres

Player of the Match: Sanju Samson (IND) - 107 runs with the bat, 1 catch

SA vs IND 1st T20I Key Stats

• Sanju Samson became the first Indian player to score consecutive T20I centuries.
• India continue their winning streak in Durban. They are yet to lose a T20I at Kingsmead which started in 2007.
• India have now made 7 200+ totals in T20I cricket in 2024, which is the most by a Test-playing nation in a calendar year.
• India have now won 22 T20Is out of 24 matches in 2024, with a magnificent win record of 95.6 per cent.
• Varun Chakravarthy managed to register his career-best bowling spell for India in T20Is.