Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 5-24 while Shikhar Dhawan hit 72 as India continued their limited-overs domination of the Proteas
Bhuvi burst blows away South Africa
Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed a slice of history as India completed another dominant performance over South Africa in the first Twenty20 international at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday, but not before the visitors had an injury scare with Virat Kohli limping off the field.
Shikhar Dhawan and Kumar were the chief architects behind India's 28-run win, just two days after they had completed a 5-1 thrashing of the hosts in a one-day international series.
India captain Kohli left the field 13 overs into South Africa's innings after suffering a left leg strain while batting.
"I tweaked my glute a little bit. Thankfully it's not my hamstring," he said.
"I felt a little more stiffness (in the field) so I decided to go off and not be stupid and tear a muscle."
Dhawan made 72 in an Indian total of 5-203 after they were sent in to bat.
Image Id: 537C801714EA46D58B9582328838FC93 Image Caption: Dhawan hits out on his way to 72 // GettyThen opening bowler Kumar produced a masterly display as he claimed career-best figures of 5-24 as South Africa were restricted to 175 for nine.
The effort added Kumar to an elite list of just six bowlers to have a five-wicket haul in all three international formats.
Kumar took the first two wickets and put a clamp on South Africa's scoring rate with an opening spell of two for 19 in three overs, displaying superb control and changes of pace.
Then he came back to settle the contest and secure the man of the match award by taking three wickets and conceding only five runs in the 18th over.
South Africa were outplayed once again despite a fourth wicket partnership of 81 off 54 balls between Reeza Hendricks (70) and Farhaan Behardien (39) with India superior in all departments.
Kohli hailed "one of our most balanced performances" in a T20 international.
South African captain JP Duminy admitted he was "very disappointed" but backed a policy of short-pitched bowling in an attempt to take wickets when India batted.
The left-handed Dhawan hit ten fours and two sixes in a 39-ball innings.
He was lucky to escape on ten when he flicked at a ball down the leg side from Junior Dala.
South Africa appealed half-heartedly for a catch behind and the ball was called wide. Replays showed the ball had brushed his glove.
India made a flying start, with Rohit Sharma square-cutting the first ball from Dane Paterson for six. He added a second six in an over which yielded 18 runs.
Rohit was caught behind off new cap Dala in the second over but all the Indian batsmen followed his attacking example on a ground where there had been three successful run chases of more than 200 in T20 internationals.
Kohli's run of big scores ended when he was leg before wicket to left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi for 26. He had been dropped off the same bowler at long-on when he had ten.
South Africa were without star batsman AB de Villiers, who was ruled out of the series after suffering a blow to his left knee ahead of the sixth one-day international in Centurion on Friday.
India also suffered an injury blow, with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav missing because of a thumb injury suffered in Centurion when India completed a 5-1 series win.
Five wickets in all formats
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)
Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Tim Southee (New Zealand)
Umar Gul (Pakistan)
Imran Tahir (South Africa)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India)
Qantas tour of South Africa
Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Chadd Sayers, Jon Holland, Jhye Richardson.
Warm-up match v SA Invitational XI, Sahara Park, Benoni, Feb 22-24
First Test Kingsmead, Durban, March 1-5
Second Test St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, March 9-13
Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26
Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3