David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen smashed blistering half-centuries to lead South Africa to a thumping seven-wicket win over India in the first Twenty20 International, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday.
Chasing 212 for victory, South Africa's lost three wickets cheaply but Miller and Van der Dussen blasted 131 runs from around 10 overs in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand to guide their team home with five balls to spare.
Van der Dussen was unbeaten on 75 off 46 balls, which included five sixes and seven fours. Miller's 64 not out came off 31 balls, and had five sixes and four fours, as South Africa pulled off their biggest successful chase in T20I cricket.
The defeat ended India's 12-match winning streak in this format.
Earlier, after being put into bat, Ishan Kishan smashed 76 off 48 balls to set the tone for India who posted a strong 211/4 after being put into bat. He put on half-century partnerships with Ruturaj Gaikwad (23) and Shreyas Iyer (36) as the hosts cruised to 102/1 in 10 overs.
Keshav Maharaj ended Kishan's blitz after conceding two sixes and two fours in the 13th over. But India did not take their foot off the pedal. Skipper Rishabh Pant made 29 and vice-captain Hardik Pandya smashed 31 not out off 12 balls as they comfortably passed the 200-mark.
South Africa lost skipper Temba Bavuma and Dwaine Pretorius (29) inside the first six overs. But Miller and van der Dussen put South Africa's chase back on track with scintillating power-hitting to deny the hosts.
India have rested several frontline players, including regular captain Rohit Sharma and stalwart Virat Kohli. Stand-in skipper K.L. Rahul, who was to lead the side in Sharma's absence, will miss the series due to a groin injury and Pant is filling in as captain.
The second game in the five-match series is in Cuttack on Sunday.
