Ahmedabad, February 22 David Miller delivered a stroke-filled performance, scoring a fifty, before South Africa executed their bowling with precision to restrict India and secure a comfortable 76-run victory in their Group 1 Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup here on Sunday.
Batting first, South Africa benefited from Miller's (63 off 35 balls) and young Dewald Brevis' (45 off 29 balls) recovery – a 97-run partnership for the fourth wicket in just 51 balls – to post 187 for 7.
In reply, India struggled to get going as the Aiden Markram-led side outplayed them, bowling them out for 111 in 18.5 overs with Marco Jansen taking 4/22.
Keshav Maharaj took 3/24, while Corbin Bosch (2/12) also made crucial breakthroughs.
Credit should also go to Lungi Ngidi, who didn't take any wickets but bowled economically, conceding just 15 runs in his four overs to stifle India's comeback.
Shivam Dube was India's top scorer with a 37-ball 42.
In a bold move, part-time off-spinner Aiden Markram (1/5 in 1 over) opened with the new ball and made the crucial breakthrough, dismissing in-form Ishan Kishan for a duck in the first over.
India's star opener Abhishek Sharma ended his hat-trick of ducks to open his account in the T20 World Cup but fell for 15 as Marco Jansen struck twice in the powerplay, leaving India at 26/3.
Miller delivered a brilliant performance, but Jasprit Bumrah's excellent bowling restricted South Africa to 187/7.
Miller scored 63 off 35 balls, supported by Dewald Brevis (45 off 29 balls), as the duo put on a 97-run partnership for the fourth wicket in just 51 balls.
Bumrah (3/15 in 4 overs) and Arshdeep Singh (2/28 in 4 overs) had reduced the Proteas to 20/3 within the first four overs after they opted to bat.
Key Scores:
South Africa: 187/7 in 20 overs (David Miller 63, Dewald Brevis 45, Tristan Stubbs 44; Jasprit Bumrah 3/15, Arshdeep Singh 2/28)
India: 111 all out in 18.5 overs (Shivam Dube 42; Marco Jansen 4/22, Keshav Maharaj 3/24, Corbin Bosch 2/12)
