IND vs SA: Ishan Kishan stars, Sanju Samson absent as India win Warm-Up Encounter

India dominated South Africa by 30 runs in a high-scoring ICC Men's T20 World Cup warm-up clash at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.

Winning the toss and batting first, India unleashed fireworks from the outset. Ishan Kishan blazed 53 off 20 balls, with two fours and seven sixes in a powerplay explosion of 83 runs, retiring out after a blistering 265 strike rate.

Abhishek Sharma (24 off 18) and Tilak Varma (45 off 19) kept the momentum, with Varma falling to Marco Jansen. Suryakumar Yadav (30 off 16) added impetus before holing out to Kwena Maphaka off George Linde. Axar Patel anchored with an unbeaten 35 off 23, while Hardik Pandya's late 30 off 10 (2x4, 3x6) propelled India past 240. South Africa's bowlers leaked runs, with Anrich Nortje's 0/57 the most

expensive.

Chasing 241, South Africa started aggressively, smashing 66 in the powerplay. Aiden Markram retired on 38 off 19 (2x4, 4x6), but Arshdeep Singh struck early, removing George Linde for a duck. Ryan Rickelton's 44 off 21 (4x4, 3x6) promised fireworks until Varun Chakaravarthy dismissed him.

Quick wickets of Dewald Brevis (2), David Miller derailed the chase for the Proteas. Tristan Stubbs fought valiantly with 45* off 21 (1x4, 4x6), supported by Marco Jansen's 31, but Abhishek's double strike sealed South Africa's fate as they lost the match by a comfortable margin.

What happens Next for India and South Africa?

India will take on USA in the first match of the T20 World Cup on Saturday in Mumbai. For the South African team, the journey begins against Canada in Ahmedabad on Monday (February 9).