Sanju Samson’s commanding century, combined with a sharp bowling performance, propelled India to a convincing 61-run victory over South Africa in the opening T20I. Though India’s pacers faced some early pressure, it was the spinners who tightened the reins on the South African batting lineup, especially Ravi Bishnoi, whose intelligent variations kept the Proteas guessing.

Former South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher praised Bishnoi for his clever approach, particularly his ability to subtly change the seam position, which made reading the spin challenging for the South African batters.

“I noticed some of his deliveries coming out differently, especially under the lights,” Mark Boucher remarked in a discussion on JioCinema. “He mixed up the seam well. As a wicketkeeper, you often look for cues in the spin, but Bishnoi muddled the seam beautifully.”

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Mark Boucher was candid about David Miller’s struggle against Bishnoi’s deceptive spin, noting that Miller had a particularly hard time picking the deliveries. “Miller wasn’t picking a thing,” Boucher commented. “He missed four out of six balls in one over. Bishnoi’s control, along with Chakravarthy’s support, really demonstrated the wicket’s potential for quality spin—a potential South Africa’s bowlers couldn’t capitalize on.”

The turning point came in the 11th over of South Africa’s chase, with Miller finding himself unable to score against Bishnoi, who bowled a string of dot balls, effectively trapping Miller. With the pressure mounting, Miller’s frustration peaked, and in the next over, both he and Heinrich Klaasen fell in quick succession, which sealed South Africa’s fate.

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India’s spinners, led by Bishnoi’s skillful display, played a crucial role in defending the 202-run target, ensuring that South Africa’s chase faltered well short. Samson’s century was the highlight of the night, but the disciplined bowling, particularly the spin duo, showcased India’s adaptability and depth.