Ayabonga Khaka, Laura Wolvaardt put SA 1-0 up

Ayabonga Khaka led the way with 3 for 16 before Laura Wolvaardt struck a composed half-century to guide South Africa to a six-wicket win over India in the first T20I in Durban, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the series.

Asked to bat first, India got off to a brisk start through Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, who added 46 in quick time, but momentum dipped after both openers fell in the space of six balls towards the end of the Powerplay.

Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur then steadied things with a 71-run stand for the third wicket. Rodrigues made 36 before falling in the 16th over, while Harmanpreet held one end with an unbeaten 47 off 33, hitting five fours and a six.

South Africa struck regularly at the death, picking up four wickets for 33 runs in the last five overs to restrict India to 157 for 7. Ayabonga Khaka was the standout bowler with figures of 3 for 16 and was named Player of the Match, whereas Tumi Sekhukhune supported well with 2 for 27.

South Africa's chase began positively despite the early loss of Sune Luus to Shreyanka Patil. Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits added 48 quick runs for the second wicket to keep the innings on track before Brits was stumped off Shree Charani against the run of play. Wolvaardt then stitched a crucial 52-run partnership with Dercksen to take the hosts past 100 and keep the asking rate in control.

India fought back with two quick wickets, removing Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch in consecutive overs to leave South Africa at 129 for 4, but Dercksen remained calm under pressure and steered the hosts home. Tryon sealed the win with a six as South Africa completed a clinical win.

Brief Scores: India 157/7 (Kaur 47*; Khaka 3-16) lost to South Africa 158/4 in 19.1 overs (Wolvaardt 51, Deckersen 44*; Patil 2-26) by 6 wickets