India vs South Africa, 1st T20I: Game Abandoned Due to Heavy Rain
Ball by ball LIVE score updates from India vs South Africa 1st T20 international in Dharamshala.
- The first T20I between India and South Africa abandoned due to heavy rain Dharamshala.
- The game was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
- The second match is scheduled to be played in Mohali on 18 September.
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Team India Will Look to Continue the Winning Run
After dominating in all the three formats against the West Indies, Team India are now back at their den and will aim to further their preparations for next year's World T20 when they take on South Africa in the first T20I of the three-match series at the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Sunday.
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is back in the squad after he was rested for the complete Windies tour and is a certainty to feature in the playing XI against the South Africans.
On the other hand, a young Proteas side led by Quinton de Kock, will look to leave behind their dismal performance in England in the World Cup and will look to come up with a new hope.
Squads:
India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, K.L. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Rahul Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar and Navdeep Saini.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (c), Rassie van der Dussen (vc), Temba Bavuma, Junior Dala, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde.
Records & Numbers: India vs SA in T20Is
- India have lost both their fixtures against South Africa in T20Is at home - by seven wickets at Dharamsala on 2 October 2015 and by six wickets at Cuttack on 5 October 2015.
- India enjoy a success percentage of 61.53 against South Africa in T20Is, winning eight and losing five. South Africa's winning % is just 38.47.
- The last time these two teams faced each other in the shortest format of the game was in 2018 when India had beaten the Proteas 2-1 in the three-match series played in South Africa.
HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala: A Look at the Venue
- Apart from South Africa's triumph over India, five other T20Is have produced results at Dharamsala. Bangladesh have won two while New Zealand, Oman and Netherlands have won T20I each.
- Of the total six result oriented T20Is at this venue, four have been won by the teams batting first and two by teams while chasing.
- Just two bowlers have bagged four wickets in a T20Is at this venue - 4 for 111 by Netherlands' Paul van Meekeran vs Ireland on 13 March 2016 and 4 for 15 by Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan vs Oman on 13 March 2016.
- India played South Africa in a T20I in Dharamshala on 2 October 2015. The hosts lost by seven wickets.
Bad News From Dharamshala!
On the eve of the match it was reported that rain may play a spoilsport during the first T20I.
And as predicted, it is pouring heavily at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.
Indian Skipper Virat Kohli Ahead of 1st T20I
"As far as the road map is concerned, whenever there is a world tournament coming up, it is like a milestone and you start preparing from backwards. I think every team will go though same process before T20 WC," Kohli explained at a press conference ahead of India's first T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala.
Kohli said that India are keen on doing something about their long tail.
"That was one of the reasons also to give opportunities to the guys who have done well in the domestic format and the T20 format and in the IPL also. So I think it's about finding the best balance that we can as a side and not necessarily stick to one kind of combination. If all teams across the world are batting till No. 9, 10, why can't we," he said.
Covers Are Off
The covers are off, and the groundsmen are getting the field ready for the series opener. No official word yet on whether the toss has been delayed. Stay tuned for updates!
India vs South Africa: Toss Delayed Due to Rain
Official word is in! The toss for the first T20 International between India and South Africa has been delayed due to rain. Heavy showers currently, but the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is equipped with quality drainage facility.
The minimum is a five-over per side encounter for it to be official game.
India vs South Africa: Little Chance of Play
It’s still raining in Dharamshala, and reports from the ground are saying that spectators have started leaving.
It seems that play will be unlikely in the first T20 International between India and South Africa. What a grim start to India’s home season.
India vs South Africa 1st T20I Abandoned
Just about an hour since the game was scheduled to begin, the first T20 International between India and South Africa has been abandoned without a ball being bowled due to heavy rain at Dharamshala.
The series is reduced to a two-match rubber, and now moves to Mohali for the second T20I on 18 September. The third and final game will be played in Bengaluru on 22 September.
India will then host South Africa in three Test matches, starting 2 October.