The first T20I match between India and South Africa will be played on Friday, November 8, 2024 at Kingsmead, Durban at 8:30pm IST. The match will be live telecast on Sports18 and Sports18 HD channels and the live streaming will available on JioCinema.

India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Patrick Kruger, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla (3rd and 4th T20Is), Tristan Stubbs.

The weather forecast for the first T20I match between India and South Africa suggests rain interruptions. First innings might witness some rain as there is a 47 per cent chance of precipitation at Kingsmead, which can shorten the 20-over per side match and if clouds remain longer, there might be a washed-out.

The weather conditions are overcast which might allow the team batting second to get an edge. Since both India and South Africa are the best in the white ball format, google trends and predictions suggest a 60% chance that India might win this game. South Africa's win chances are 30% and there is a 10% chance of the match ending in no result due to rain.

The pitch at Kingsmead in Durban has a history of favouring bowlers, especially seamers. South African bowlers can use the home advantage against India's young side. Batters will also get some assistance only when they settle in. The surface is hard and a high-scoring match is on the cards.

In Durban, India have won 4 of the 5 T20I matches. While South Africa have played 11 matches and won 5 of them.

India: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan

South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Patrick Kruger, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee

India and South Africa have locked horns 27 times in T20 formats out of which, India have emerged victorious in 15. South Africa have managed to win 11 matches whereas only one game ended without a result.

The last time when India played a three-match T20I series in South Africa, it ended in a 1-1 draw after the final match was washed out.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to field first against India in their 1st T20I match at Kingsmead in Durban. 

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan

South Africa (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Patrick Kruger, Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Nqabayomzi Peter

(From India in 1st Innings)

Abhishek Sharma, strike rate - 196

Tilak Varma -

From India Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson will open batting in the first innings at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead.

The 2024 T20 World Cup Final Replay is here! India take on South Africa once again. Abhishek and Sanju are at the crease with overcast conditions, making the early overs a real test for the Indian batters. Jansen has the new ball and will lead the Proteas' bowling attack.

The first two overs saw two boundaries – one from Abhishek and one from Sanju – with 2 runs coming off the first over and 10 runs off the second off Aiden Markram's deliveries.

IND: 12/0 (2)

Gerald Coetzee strikes on his first delivery, dismissing Abhishek Sharma for 7 (8) as South Africa take their first wicket early. Sharma tries to go through the line but gets caught by Markram at deep square. A good start it is, but not for India.

Now Suryakumar Yadav comes to the crease to join Sanju.

IND: 24/1 (3.1)

India find their rhythm as Sanju and Surya start firing. Surya, off Coetzee’s deliveries, hits a four followed by a six in the same over. In the fifth, Sanju shows no mercy to Marco Jansen, hitting a four, a six, and another four, taking India to 49/1 in 4.5 overs. Now, it is a strong start for the Men in Blue.

IND: 49/1 (4.5)

India finish the powerplay at 56/1, having lost just one wicket. Sanju, with 36 off 22 balls, and Surya, on 14 off 8, quickly steadied the innings, finding the boundaries with ease. South Africa are desperate for another breakthrough, but the Indian pair seems to be settling into a solid partnership. Let's see how this unfolds.

IND: 59/1 (6)

After a quiet 7th over, Samson comes alive in the 8th, smashing two back-to-back sixes off Nqabayomzi Peter. The first pull shot went in front of square, and the second sailed into the deep mid-wicket stand, bringing up his fifty in style.

IND 75/1 (8)

Patrick Kruger claims the big wicket, dismissing Suryakumar Yadav for 21 (17). After struggling through the over, Kruger delivers a knuckle ball that Yadav fails to pick, mistiming his lofted shot. The ball flies to deep square leg, where Simelane takes a good catch. Yadav departs, leaving India at 90/2.

Tilak Varma comes to the crease and Andile Simelane opens his maiden International bowling.

IND: 91/2 (9.3)

Andile Simelane is the debutant in South Africa's camp. The 21-year-old impressed in the recent CSA T20 Challenge picking 12 wickets in 6 games.

Sanju Samson is on fire! He blasts 70 off 38 balls, including 5 fours and 6 sixes, maintaining a strike rate of 184.21. India finish the first 10 overs at 99/2, and with another maximum from Samson, they move to 124/2 after 12 overs. Tilak is also contributing well, with a boundary and a six to his name so far.

IND: 124/2 (12)

There’s no way out for the African bowlers! Sanju Samson is in phenomenal form, nearing his century with a blistering 92 off 44 balls, including 7 fours and 8 sixes. Andile Simelane’s second over goes for 18 runs, after the first one conceded 9. The pressure is building on the Proteas!

IND: 148/2 (13.2)

Sanju Samson hits back-to-back T20I centuries, bringing up 100 off 47 balls! This is his second century in as many matches, having scored one against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. Samson's ton is also the fastest by an Indian against South Africa. Fans and team India rise to their feet in applause as he soaks in the well-deserved recognition.

IND: 162/2 (14)

Tilak Varma departs for 33 (18) as Maharaj breaks the partnership. Expecting a big shot, Maharaj shortens the length, and Tilak’s slog sweep results in a thick top-edge, which is caught by Jansen at deep square leg.

IND: 175/4 (15.4)

South Africa finally breaks through as Sanju Samson departs for 107 (50). Nqabayomzi Peter delivers a shorter ball, and Samson pulls it towards deep mid-wicket, but against the wind, it hangs in the air. Tristan Stubbs runs in and takes a superb catch just inside the rope. Two quick wickets for South Africa!

Rinku and Pandya are at the crease now.

IND: 175/4 (16)

Hardik Pandya departs for 2 (6) as Gerald Coetzee strikes again. After a pace delivery, Coetzee follows up with a slower ball outside off. Pandya, going for a big shot, slices it to deep backward point where Marco Jansen takes a simple catch. India lose their third wicket in three overs.

Axar Patel now joins Rinku at the crease.

IND: 183/5 (17.4)

Gerald Coetzee strikes again as Rinku Singh is dismissed for 11 (10). A short ball catches him off guard, with Klaasen taking a superb catch diving to his right. Then, in the final over, Marco Jansen gets Axar Patel for 7 (7) with a slower ball. Axar cuts it straight to Stubbs on the boundary. India’s collapse continues.

IND 200/8 (19.4)

That's the end of the first innings. India set a target of 203 runs posting 202/8 (20). On the last ball, Ravi Bishnoi is run out for 1 (3) while attempting a bye.

IND: 202/8 (20) - Innings Break.

Welcome back! South Africa face a tough chase ahead, and Arshdeep is ready to bowl. Markram and Rickelton are at the crease. Markram is on strike and he hits a back-to-back four!

RSA: 8/0 (0.3)

WHATT!!! Arshdeep Singh strikes back with a brilliant delivery! Markram is caught behind for 8 (4), edging a full ball to Samson. Early breakthrough for India as South Africa lose their first wicket in the first over.

RSA 8/1 (0.4)

Another blow for South Africa as Avesh Khan strikes! Tristan Stubbs departs for 11 (11), caught by Suryakumar Yadav at mid-off. 2 wickets within the powerplay! Now the danger man Heinrich Klaasen comes to the crease. It's his first match after the T20 World Cup loss.

RSA: 30/2 (3.3)

In the last ball of the fourth over Avesh Khan delivers to Rickelton and he sends off a SIX over the roof to the road. A young fan grabs the leather ball and tries to make a break for it—he is in no mood to return the ball, guess its going his home.

RSA: 44/3 (5.2)

Varun Chakaravarthy strikes! Rickelton mistimes a slog sweep and Tilak Varma takes a fine catch at long-on. Rickelton departs for 21 off 11 runs.

Now, David Miller comes to the crease.

RSA: 49/3 (6)

Klaasen’s mastery with the bat (currently at 18 off 16) is on full display as he anchors the chase alongside David Miller (15 off 12). A gorgeous pull shot off Ravi Bishnoi’s googly brings up a well-timed four, showcasing his quick footwork. Klaasen, always a danger when set, is playing with confidence as the Proteas look to recover. But, the question is, can he find the rhythm tonight, is two boundaries enough? South Africa need 124 runs in 54 balls. It's tough.

RSA: 76/3 (9)

Nope! Klaasen cant do it! He is out! Varun Chakaravarthy removes the danger that might be. The Proteas' key man is dismissed for 25 (22), caught by Axar at long-on after misjudging a pull shot.

RSA: 87/5 (11.5)

Varun Chakaravarthy strikes twice in the same over, removing both Klaasen and Miller! A superb spell from the mystery spinner sends David Miller back for 18 (22), caught by Avesh Khan at deep backward square-leg.

And then in the 13th over, Ravi Bishnoi strikes to take down Patrick Kruger caught by Hardik Pandya at backward point for 1.

Ravi strikes again in the same over and gets Andile Simelane LBW for 6, as his flipper fizzes off the pitch and beats the batter's defense.

RSA: 93/7 (12.5)

Ravi Bishnoi picks up his third, dismissing Marco Jansen for 12, with Hardik Pandya taking the catch. South Africa's collapse continues, but Gerald Coetzee keeps the fight alive, smashing 22 off 10 balls. They now need 72 from 23 balls.

RSA: 130/8 (16.1)

In a match that South Africa hoped would serve as revenge for their 2024 T20 World Cup final loss to the champions, India once again triumphed, defeating the Proteas by 61 runs in the first T20I at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban.

IND: 202/8 (20)

RSA: 141 (17.5)

Tonight in Durban, Sanju Samson became the first Indian to slam tons in back-to-back T20Is as he raised his second hundred in the format in just 47 balls during the first T20I between India and South Africa. Read more about the Indian batter HERE.

Ahead of the play, as both teams prepared for the customary national anthems, there were some technical issues. The national anthem of India stopped, then began again and then stopped again. The music went out of sync and there were some glitches in the audio. Read more about the controversy HERE.

Now, both India and South Africa will go head to head in their second T20I match on November 10, Sunday at the St George's Oval in Port Elizabeth at 7:30 PM IST. Join us once again for live coverage of the match. See you then, and good night!