The Indian win came on the back of a stellar batting performance by skipper Virat Kohli who top scored with a fluent 72-run knock. Opener Shikhar Dhawan chipped in with a quick-fire 40 off 30 deliveries.
The Indians got away to a breezy start with openers Rohit and Shikhar providing the hosts with an opening salvo in the power plays. Both Rohit and Dhawan launched an onslaught on the Proteas new ball pair of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, who seemed to struggle with their lengths on a pretty flat batting deck.
Seam all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo dealt the opening blow for the Proteas by trapping Rohit leg before wicket. However, Virat Kohli joined Dhawan to stitch a game changing second wicket partnership. South Africa got back into the game after spinner Tabraiz Shamsi send Dhawan back to the pavilion courtesy a stunning catch by David Miller. Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant once against failed to impress as he threw his wicket away to debutant spinner Bjorn Fortuin.
However Kohli continued to pile up the runs and got good support from Sheryas Iyer, who chipped in with a fluent 16-run knock to remain unbeaten with the Indian skipper till the end and take India across the line.
After Indian skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and invited South Africa to bat first, the Proteas posted a below par 149-run total with skipper Quinton De Kock top scoring with 52. Temba Bavuma chipped in with a well compiled 49-run knock.
Deepak Chahar was the most successful of the Indian bowlers, picking up 2 wickets and only giving runs in his allotted four overs. Navdeep Saina, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya picked one wicket each.