India captain MS Dhoni backed spinner Axar Patel to bounce back after his side's seven-wicket loss to South Africa in their opening Twenty20 international.

Through 15 overs on Friday, South Africa needed 66 runs from 30 balls to win the first T20 in Dharamsala.

India had made 199-5 after Rohit Sharma struck 106, which included 12 fours and five sixes at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.

But Patel gave up 22 runs in the 16th over as South Africa closed in and JP Duminy (unbeaten 66) and Farhaan Behardien (32 not out) would eventually lead them to victory.

Despite the costly over, Dhoni said Patel (0-45 off four overs) had bowled well otherwise.

"I think our spinners did bowl well. If you take Axar's one over out of the game, I felt he bowled really well. It happens in T20 once a batsman is set," he said.

"At times we have seen good bowlers also go for runs, even the best in the world. This was a one-off game when Axar went for runs.

"He's somebody who's consistent with his line and length, he's not somebody who gives a lot of loose deliveries so you have to play the big strokes to get the runs out of him. I was quite happy apart from that one over.

"Overall, whether we can go in with more spinning options, that's something we'll have to keep in mind."

Duminy praised openers Hashim Amla and AB De Villiers, who put on 77 inside eight overs for the first wicket.

In a big chase, Duminy said that was the key as South Africa set up a chance to seal the three-match series in Cuttack on Monday.

"The start was very crucial for us. We knew that chasing a big total we needed to start off well, and I think the key for us there was that we didn't lose any wickets in six overs," he said.

"Obviously the way AB and Hash played, it was exceptional, but the turning point I think was the 16th over because [Ravichandran] Ashwin went, I think for eight runs in his fourth over, so we needed to capitalise and try and find a big over somewhere and fortunately for us it was the 16th over."