T-20 world cup: India suffers its first loss

Men in Blue who began their T-20 world cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan by winning on a thrilling note and continued their winning streak against the associate nation Netherlands, however, suffered its first loss against the Safaris.

Team India led by Rohit Sharma, after winning the toss batted first and nothing went right from the word go. South African bowlers bounced the Indian top order out of the game and it was left to 360-degree player and No 1 batsman in the T-20 format, Surya Kumar Yadav to give some respectability to the score with a scintillating counter-attacking half-century. Surya Kumar scored 68(40) but he did not get any support from his teammates as India scored just 133/9 in the 20 overs. Lungi Ngidi and Wayne Parnell got 29/4 and 15/3 wickets respectively. Kohli who scored two half-centuries, this time however failed to replicate the magic as he got out for just 12 while Captain Rohit Sharma had a bad day getting out for just 15 (14) and vice-captain Rahul's torrid form continued as he got out for 9(14).

But Indian bowlers kept the team in the hunt with Arshadeep Singh picking two wickets in one over leaving the Safaris tottering at 3/2. However, Markram and Miller scored 52 (41) and 59*(46) to prevail in the last over. Rohit Sharma had a bad day not only as the batsman but also as a fielder and as a captain as he missed a simple runout and also erred in giving bowling to Ashwin whom the South African batsmen tore apart. Kohli also had a bad day as he dropped a simple chance. India with its defeat failed to save the hopes of its arch rival Pakistan. Indian victory would have improved Pakistan's chances but now Bangladesh should defeat India and Pakistan should win all the matches as it stands.