Some umpiring decisions changed the game: Dhoni

         India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Friday said he believed some umpiring decision which did not go in favour of his side changed the game as South Africa beat the host by seven wickets in the first T20 international at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium here.

J.P. Duminy's 68-run innings proved to be the decisive factor as the Proteas got home with two deliveries to spare. But the left-hander survived two very close shouts for leg-before-wicket during his stay at the crease. Both looked to be right in front of the stumps, but the umpire thought otherwise.

"We did not have quite a few decisions going our way and sometimes these can change the match. If you could have got Duminy early it could have been different. He played brilliant cricket later on," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

He said the total of 199 that India had amassed was close to par but added they gave to many runs away in small phases during the game.

"We had something close to par, but there was dew and in high altitude the ball travels faster. There were periods where we conceded too many runs. That puts a lot of pressure on the bowlers. Any over above 20, it puts a lot of pressure," he said.

He lastly pointed to the fact the bowlers were not able to strangle the opposition even after having such a huge score onboard.

"You need to choke the opposition, you need to make it tough for them. We couldn't do that today, despite having 200 runs on the board," he said.

Rohit Sharma disappointed with loss

Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma said that the team will regroup and come stronger in the next match against the touring South African team. India lost the first Twenty20 international of the 3-match series by 7 wickets.

Rohit scored a prolific 106 runs off just 66 deliveries which included 12 boundaries and five huge sixes. Even after posting a mammoth target of 200 runs, the visitors chased it down easily courtesy JP Duminy’s late fire 68 off 34 balls.

                                                  Rohit said: "It is always important to start a series well. I did have that in my mind when I went out to bat. My focus was on getting some runs in the very first game since it sets the tone for the rest of the series. I feel it is a good start. Obviously disappointed with the loss but we have to regroup as soon as we can and come back really strong.

Rohit Sharma 2nd Indian to slam century across formats, during India vs South Africa 1st T20I at Dharamsala

             
                 
Rohit Sharma became the second Indian batsman to score a Twenty20 International (T20I) century when he reached the milestone during the first T20I between India and South Africa at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Friday. Rohit also became the second Indian, after Suresh Raina, to complete a century across formats, hitting 12 boundaries and five sixes during his innings, taking 62 deliveries to reach the milestone. India were cruising at a score of 158 for 1 at the end of the 15th over, appearing poised for a major score at the end of their innings in the first match of the ‘Mahatma Gandhi-Nelson Mandela’ series. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, was batting on 42 off 25 balls, approaching his 10th T20I fifty at the time.