South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, managing 187 for seven in their 20 overs, a total that was considered par.
But some excellent bowling and good fielding restricted India to 111 in reply as South Africa strangled their scoring areas with disciplined line and length, and the use of slower balls.
South Africa made a poor start to their innings as they slipped to 20-3 in the face of some excellent bowling from India seamers Arshdeep Singh (2-28 in 4 overs) and Jasprit Bumrah (3-15 in 4).
But Dewald Brevis (45 runs from 29 balls) and David Miller (63 from 35) launched a counter-attack and took on the India bowling, putting on 97 for the fourth wicket in 50 deliveries.
When they departed the innings slowed again but was given momentum at the back-end as Tristan Stubbs smashed an unbeaten 44 from 24 balls.
Miller’s excellent form in this tournament continued, using all his experience of playing in India and especially Ahmadabad.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram opened the bowling with his part-time spin and took the wicket of opener Ishan Kishan (0 from 4) to set the tone.
Marco Jansen (4-22 in 3.5) picked up two more quick wickets and the visitors kept chipping away, not allowing any of the batters to settle. Lungi Ngidi did not pick up a wicket, but returned the excdllent figures of 0-15 in four overs with his clever change of pace.
Only Shivam Dube (42 from 37) managed an innings of any consequence as South Africa not only won the game, but provided a significant boost to their run-rate, and put a big dent into India’s.
South Africa are next in action against West India on Thursday, before they have a final fixture against Zimbabwe on Sunday.
“It was a great performance,” Markram said. “A different type of wicket to what we have had here. The boys assessed that early and then adapted to their plans.
“I’m happy for the bowlers, the start to the competition was tough, but tonight (they were brilliant).
The partnership (Brevis and Miller) put up, it kept us in the game. We did not feel like the ball was travelling. It was a bit spongy, we were trying to hit into space and run hard. They bowled well up front and at the death, but our batting through the middle was probably the difference.
“We’ll enjoy this for one night and then park it. There is a big game for us next (against West Indies). It’s important we rock up and take it on full steam again.”
