In the first T20I in Delhi, India was outclassed by 7 wickets. As a result, Pant's debut as India captain did not go as planned.
Digital Desk: Rishabh Pant joined the unfortunate list when he became only the second player in India's men's team history to lose his first T20I as captain.
Pant's debut as the captain didn't work well, as India was outclassed in a high-scoring match against South Africa in New Delhi on Thursday, June 9.
India scored 211 but could not defend the total after South Africa completed their highest-ever successful T20I chase.
South Africa smashed the target in 19.1 overs, led by David Miller's 31-ball 64 not out and Rassie van der Dussen's unbeaten 75.
Pant was named captain on the eve of the five-match T20I series after KL Rahul was forced to withdraw due to injury. After Suresh Raina, the Delhi wicketkeeper-batter became India's 8th and youngest captain in men's T20I cricket.
Let's take a look at the Match Highlights of IND vs SA T20I :
Pant is the only captain to lose his debut match after joining Virat Kohli. In 2017, Kohli made his T20I captaincy debut against England in Kanpur, and India lost by 7 wickets.
In their debut encounter as India's T20I captain, both Pant and Kohli scored identical scores of 29. Despite this, Kohli became one of India's most successful white-ball captains until retiring last year.
For the first time in their history, India lost a T20I match after scoring more than 200 runs in the first innings.
Before Thursday's match, the Asian giants were 11-0 in T20Is, in which they batted first and scored more than 200 runs.
India attempted to create a global record for the most consecutive wins in T20I cricket, but South Africa's batting excellence broke their 12-match winning streak.
After Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bowl, India used Ishan Kishan's 76 and contributions from Shreyas Iyer, skipper Pant, and Hardik Pandya to total 211 in 20 overs.
On the other hand, Miller and van der Dussen secured the match with a 131-run unbeaten fourth-wicket stand.
After his defeat, Pant stated, "We had enough on the board, but I think we were a little off with the execution. But sometimes, you got to give credit to the opposition. Miller and RvD batted well. Slower balls worked when we batted, but the wicket got better in the second innings."
On Sunday, June 12, India and South Africa will play the second T20 International at Cuttack.
Also Read: AUS Vs SL 2nd T20: Probable playing 11, pitch report; Check here
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