The first match of the five-match T20I series between the Indian cricket team and the South African cricket team is in the history books now. Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium played host to this game, where Rishabh Pant made his debut as the captain of the Indian cricket team. Unfortunately, he could not start on a winning note.
South African cricket team captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to field first. The decision did not work in the visitors’ favor as the Indian cricket team raced to 57 runs off 6.2 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan had an impressive opening partnership.
Kishan went on to score a half-century, while the trio of Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer played handy cameos as India finished with 211 runs on the board. South Africa lost the wicket of Temba Bavuma early, but all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius turned the game in their favor with his big-hitting in the powerplay.
Eventually, half-centuries from David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen helped the South African cricket team pull off their highest successful run-chase in T20 internationals. Here’s what van der Dussen said after the match:
“We had a good week of preparation. Bit sticky there in the middle but David is such a brilliant player. He pulled me through that patch and we knew if we were there together at the end, we would get it done. I always knew I was just two boundaries away. It was not because of a lack of intent.”
Twitter reacts as Rishabh Pant takes a bizarre review
During the final moments of the match, Harshal Patel bowled a wide delivery to David Miller. Interestingly, captain Rishabh appealed for caught behind and even went for DRS. The replays showed that the ball was far from the bat, and there was nothing on the snickometer as well. Here’s how fans on Twitter reacted to it:
Loooooooooolll..what on earth is that review @RishabhPant17 😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Thanmai Kotrike (@thanmaikotrike) June 9, 2022
The bat’s in Delhi while the ball was already in Cuttack for 2nd T20😂🤦#INDvSA #INDvsSA
Pant won’t deny any drs in such situations in his life again after what happened with David 🤣
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) June 9, 2022
Pant asking Miller whether he should take the DRS against him
— Abhishek ︎ (@ImAbhishek7_) June 9, 2022
Pant & DRS.
— Ranny* 🏏 (@13Ranny_tweets) June 9, 2022
Love story continues#INDvSA
Once again Pant got his DRS game wrong tonight. After Tim David, this time David Miller. His captaincy looked flat in the death overs of South African innings. I feel Hardik should have donned the captain’s hat for this crucial series. #INDvSA
— Prabuddha Ghosh (@TheCluelessBong) June 9, 2022
Don’t understand why Pant always seems doubtful while deciding whether to take the DRS or not. He’s the keeper who literally has the perfect angle to decide it #INDvSA
— Bakwas Player (@cric_nerd2) June 9, 2022
Pant needs extra classes for DRS.#INDvSA
— Meet M (@MeetModi1) June 9, 2022
Captain Pant and DRS can never go hand in hand. 🤦🏻♂️#INDvSA
— Ashwath Rao (@Ashwathrao10) June 9, 2022
