Sanju Samson hits century to power India to victory over the Proteas in opening T20I

Samson, who opened the innings, scored 107 off just 50 balls to power the tourists to a formidable total of 202-8 before bowling the hosts out for paltry 141.

The 29-year-old Samson found decent supoort in the middle of India's innings with captain Surykumar Yadav scoring 21 (17 balls) and Tilak Verma hitting a quick-fire 33 from 18 deliveries.

The Proteas' bowlers came in for some tap with India looking at a total beyond 220-230 one stage but the fall of Samson's wicket in the 16th over slowed the visitors down.

Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee, making their return to international cricket of undergoing a break, were the best bowlers on show with the former the most economical, conceding only 24 runs in his four overs while taking a wicket and the latter taking 3-37.

The Proteas never really got going with the bat and they fell to pieces with India's spin twins, Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy, taking three wickets apiece.

Heinrich Klaasen top-scored with 25 while opener Ryan Rickelton struck 21 but both players were dismissed by Chakravarthy just as they looked to up the tempo.

In the end though it was a bad day at the office for the home team and they will have to dust themselves off and put in an improved performance in the second match of the series at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Sunday.

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