India defeated South Africa by 61 runs in the opening match of their four-match T20 international series at Kingsmead Oval in Durban. Sanju Samson played a match-winning knock of 107, including 10 sixes, guiding India to a total of 202/8. His stellar performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

In response, South Africa struggled, with Heinrich Klaasen top-scoring at 25 as they were bowled out for 141 in just 17.5 overs. Indian spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi were instrumental, each taking three wickets and dismantling the Proteas' middle order.

This series marks the first meeting between the two teams since India’s seven-run victory over South Africa in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup on June 29 at Kensington Oval in Barbados.