India-South Africa 1st T20I in pictures

Fans flocked to the picturesque HPCA Cricket Ground, Dharamsala, to witness the 1st T20 between India & South Africa The jampacked crowd at the HPCA Cricket Ground in Dharamsala were in for a run-feast but unfortunately for them, the hosts India ended up on the losing side as South Africa chased down the target of 199 with seven wickets in hand to take a 1-0 lead in the 1st of the three T20 matches.Rohit Sharma’s classy 66-ball 106 helped India post what looked like an above par score but South Africa were able to achieve the target with two balls to spare thanks to a superb knock by JP Duminy who proved his T20 credentials with an unbeaten 34-ball 68.Here are the best pictures from the match.

#1 Homage to Jagmohan Dalmiya

The Indian and South African players observe a minute’s silence as signal of respect to Jagmohan Dalmiya, India’s eminent cricket administrator, who passed away recently.

#2 India gifts South Africa the opening wicket

AB de Villiers celebrates in delight after running out India’s opener Shikhar Dhawan. The Delhi lad responded to Sharma’s call to attempt a double after a misfield but found himself marginally short of the crease.

#3 Kohli\'s supporting knock

Virat Kohli played a superb knock of 43 from 27 balls, which included three sixes, but it was his rotation of strike that enabled Rohit Sharma to play his natural game which was the standout feature during his stay at the crease.

#4 Class personified!

Rohit Sharma survived an early scare in the very first over as the umpire overlooked a close shout for leg before wicket, but once he got into his groove, the Mumbai Indian skipper was a treat to watch as he began playing his trademark elegant shots.

#5 Rohit-Kohli record partnership

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli added 138 runs for the second wicket – India’s highest in T20 history – in just 74 balls to help India post an above par score at the HPCA Cricket Ground.

#6 Sharma\'s classy century

Rohit Sharma acknowledges the crowd after becoming only the second Indian after Suresh Raina to score a century in all three formats of the game.

#7 Kyle Abbott\'s double strikes

South African skipper Faf du Plessis congratulates Kyle Abbott after the fast bowler dismissed Virat Kohli. He followed it up with the wicket of centurion Rohit Sharma in the same over, thus restricting India’s total to within 200.

#8 South Africa\'s blistering start

South Africa’s opening duo of AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla got their team off to a flying start as they scored 67 in the six powerplay overs. They might not have finished the match but laid the perfect foundation for Duminy to launch his assault.

#9 Mr. 360

Duminy’s match-winning knock should not undermine the super half-century by AB de Villiers at the top of the innings which deflated the Indian pace bowling and gave South Africa a superb start to their chase.

#10 Debut delight

Sreenath Aravind, making his debut for India in this match, jumps in delight after dismissing South African skipper Faf du Plessis. It was the Karnataka pacer’s only moment to cherish in an otherwise forgettable match as he gave away 44 runs in 3.4 overs.

#11 Slow start

JP Duminy started off cautiously in his innings and was happy to let Farhaan Behardien play the big shots early on in their partnership. Dumniy scored only 15 of the first 14 balls he faced before tearing into Axar Patel to launch a serious assault to the chase.

#12 Fist of success

Duminy is thrilled after hitting the winning runs to help South Africa draw first blood in what will be a long and challenging series against India in all formats.