In a rare display of tension, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav was seen in a heated exchange with South African players Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee during the first T20I in Durban.
The incident took place in the 15th over of South Africa’s innings, where Suryakumar’s frustration was visibly sparked by positioning issues involving Indian wicketkeeper Sanju Samson and Marco Jansen. Sanju Samson, frustrated by Marco Jansen’s repeated interference in his catching line, prompted Suryakumar to intervene. As the situation escalated, Suryakumar had an animated conversation with Jansen and Coetzee, making his dissatisfaction clear both to them and the on-field umpires, Lubabalo Gcuma and Stephen Harris.
Aside from the on-field tensions, the highlight of the match was Sanju Samson’s remarkable batting performance, where he scored his second consecutive T20I century. Samson’s explosive 107 off 50 balls, with a strike rate of 214.00, helped India set a daunting target of 202/8 in 20 overs. This innings made Samson the first Indian to achieve back-to-back centuries in T20I matches, an impressive feat celebrated by fans and teammates alike.
India’s strong all-around performance, marked by Samson’s powerful batting and disciplined bowling, secured a comfortable 61-run win, giving them a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. With contributions from Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, who both took three wickets, India effectively limited South Africa to 141 runs in 17.5 overs. The victory showcases India’s form and determination as they take an early lead in the series.
