India vs South Africa, 1st T20I Highlights: David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen shine as South Africa beat India by 7 wickets

"The last international game played here was way back in 2019, but in 2021 four IPL games were played here and all were high scoring, 195 was the average score then. The dimensions are small here; only 61 meters on the western side and 63 on the eastern, straight down is 74. It looks like it has a bit of grass which is dry. It is a little patchy but the surface itself is quite firm. You can see the cracks here which might help the spinners but still seems a high scoring match. Dew is not a factor" - Deep Dasgupta

One has to really dig deep into the history books to find out the last time international cricket was played in India in June. The unrelenting heat wave, with the temperature hovering in the high 40s in the national capital meant both India and South Africa had to shift their afternoon practice to the evening over the last two days. TOI has learnt that BCCI has decided to introduce drinks breaks after 10 overs to offer the players some respite during the five-match T20I series. Usually, T20Is don't have drinks breaks but the ICC introduced it during the last T20 World Cup in UAE.

Rishabh Pant's journey in international cricket has been as unpredictable as his batting. He has zoomed through the ranks forever copping criticism for his flamboyant game. Even as doubts over his consistency continue, Pant became India's second youngest T20I captain as KL Rahul was ruled out of the T20I series against South Africa due to a groin injury on Wednesday. A carefree and happy-go-lucky man on the face of it, Pant wore an intense look during the optional training at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Wednesday, a day before the first T20I against South Africa. Juggling duties with match officials and his wicket-keeping drills under the scorching sun, Pant was getting ready for his big day. As he walked off the ground and headed for the pre-match press conference, he mentioned: "I am so glad this has happened at Kotla. Wish Tarak sir (his childhood coach who passed away last November) was there to witness this moment."