Even before the team total for South Africa hit double digits, the "English-like" conditions caused them to lose half the side. After a terrible start, the visitors were unable to recover and were reduced to 106 for 8 in 20 overs.
As long as Kagiso Rabada was in action, the Indian batsmen's pursuit wasn't simple either. With his speed and movement, he worried the hitters and bowled out captain Rohit Sharma for a duck. There were some anxieties when Anrich Nortje identified Virat Kohli. KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav chipped away at the meagre mark with an unbroken stand of 93 to lead India home, but they took their time to exhaust the South African bowlers.
As India cruised to victory in 16.4 overs, the two batters both contributed to their own half-centuries. Yadav was still undefeated on 50 after Rahul's unbroken 51 (56 balls, 2x4, 4x6) (33 balls, 5x4, 3x6). Earlier, Temba Bavuma of South Africa was castled by Chahar, one of India's backup bowlers for the World T20, with a ball that came in sharply to start the slide on the final ball of the first over.
With the new ball in good conditions, Arshdeep Singh, who is known for his excellent bowling in the end overs, demonstrated that he can be just as effective. He took three wickets in his first over. Quinton de Kock was the first to play onto his stumps.
He got Rilee Rossouw to edge off the fifth ball, which was gladly accepted by Rishabh Pant. The Punjab pacer then demonstrated his ability to move the ball the other way by bringing it in and casting David Miller with his subsequent delivery. The visitors were reduced to 9 for five in 2. 3 overs by youngster Tristan Stubbs, who then hit a short and wide delivery from Deepak Chahar into the hands of Arshdeep Singh at wide third man, giving the hosts their worst T20 cricket start.
Chahar and Arshdeep had stats of 2/15 and 3/15 when Rohit Sharma made the decision to bowl each of them all the way through the powerplay overs.
By attempting to control the swing by hitting outside the crease, Markram attempted to stop the bleeding. Off Harshal Patel, he hit three perfectly timed fours and a six. His propensity to cross the field too frequently, though, proved to be his undoing as Patel caught him in front for a 24-ball 25.
Following Markram's demise, Wayne Parnell, who had earlier in the innings hit a six off Chahar, restrained himself and played out a maiden over against Ravichandran Ashwin. Due of the Proteas' defensive strategy, Ashwin was able to bowl a sparing spell of 4-1-8-0 in the middle overs. In the deep waters off Axar Patel, Parnell held out to Yadav for 24 hours before deciding to finally come out of his shell.
