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[Watch] Varun Chakravarthy Makes An Int'l Comeback To Remember; Rickelton Bites The Dust

Rickelton was dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy in the first T20I [Source: Sceen grab @viratgoback/x.com]Rickelton was dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy in the first T20I [Source: Sceen grab @viratgoback/x.com]

India and South Africa are facing off in the first T20I of the four match seris at the Kingsmead in Durban. The visitors have dominated the proceedings for the major part and at the time of wrting are strengthening their grip on the game.

Interestingly, Aiden Markram put India to bat after winning the toss. The early loss of Abhishek Sharma made it look like the correct decision by the Proteas skipper but Sanju Samson soon changed the complexion of the game. The Indian keeper batter decided to play a counter attacking knock and put the home team on the back foot.

Sanju Samson Thrashes The South African Bowlers To All Parts Of The Ground

Sanju's partnership with Suryakumar Yadav solidified the base for the visitors. However, the Indian opener continued to attack the South African bowlers even after the dismissal of the skipper. Sanju brought up the fastest century by an Indian against South African going past the three figure mark in just 47 deliveries. He also became the first Indian batter to score consecutive centuries in T20Is.

Sanju's presence in the middle made it feel like the Indian team would easily go past the 230 mark. However, Sanju walked back to the hut in the 16th over after scoring 107 runs off 50 deliveries, the momentum started to drop. The visitors lost a few quick wickets towards the end and were restrcited to 202/8 in their 20 overs. 

Varun Chakravarthy Dismisses Ricketon In His First Over On Return

In the chase, South Africa were rocked early as Arshdeep Singh dismissed Aiden Markram in the first over. This was soon followed by the wicket of Tristan Stubbs. Even though the two wickets fell early, Ryan Rickelton was looking solid at one end.

India needed the wicket of Rickelton and comeback man Varun Chakravarthy provided it.  On the second delivery of the sixth over, Chakravarthty bowled a googly around the middle stump on he full length. Rickelton went down on one knee looking for a slog sweep. However, he got a top edge and was taken in the deep by Tilak Varma.