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PremiumIndia Vs South Africa 2nd T20I highlights: Varun Chakravarthy’s maiden five-wicket haul was overshadowed by an unbeaten 42-run stand for the eighth wicket between Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee as South Africa eked out a three-wicket win over India in the second T20I on Sunday. With this win, South Africa squared the series 1-1 with two more matches to go. The loss halted India’s 11-match winning streak.
Chasing 125 runs, South Africa never got going and were reeling at 66/6 and 86/7, thanks to Chakravarthy’s 5/17 in his four overs. Then, South Africa found two valiant soldiers in determined Stubbs (47 not out) and aggressive Coetzee (19 not out) to carry their side past the tape. But, Chakravarthy deserves credit for making the match a thrilling affair.
The Tamil Nadu man came to the party after pacer Arshdeep Singh dismissed opener Riyan Rickelton in the third over. Chakravarthy started his dismantling job going through the defences of South African skipper Aiden Markram, who failed to read a wrong’un. Reeza Hendricks (24) looked comfortable until he failed to pick Chakarvarthy’s googly that rearranged his woodwork. But the home side did not look in any great danger even at 34/2 after the Powerplay, but Chakravarthy’s twin blow in the 13th over pegged the Proteas back.
Heinrich Klaasen, a capable player of spin, chose to go aerial route only to find Rinku Singh in the deep. David Miller’s tentative prod off the first ball he faced met with thin air as the straight one from the Indian spinner, which quickened after pitched, crashed onto his off-stump. Earlier, Indian batters too were all at sea on a springy St George’s Park deck against disciplined South African bowlers. The Proteas bowlers hit the back of length line and the natural bounce on the pitch did the rest.
Samson, who had become the first Indian batsman to score back-to-back T20I hundreds, was out for nought before skipper Suryakumar Yadav followed suit. Axar Patel (27, 21b), who was moved up the order, played a couple of delectable shots before departing soon. However, it was Hardik Pandya (39, 45 balls) whose late push helped India cross the 100-run mark.
Tristan Stubbs puts South Africa on course of a victory with three boundaries off Arshdeep Singh. Stubbs seals South Africa's win with another four. South Africa draw level 1-1.
A couple of fours and six from Gerald Coetzee brings South Africa back in the game. Tristan Stubbs is still there in the middle at unbeaten 30. The hosts 13 runs off 12 balls. SA 112/7 (18)
Another wicket for Varun Chakaravarthy. The India spinner dismisses Heinrich Klaasen for the third time in six innings. Ohh Waait!!! David Miller is a out for a golden duck in the next ball. The Indian players are pumped up in the middle. Chakravarthy gets a fifer for the first time in India colours. SA 67/6 (12.3)
Varun Chakravarthy gets the big fish as he outsmarts Reeza Hendricks with a delivery that shattered the stumps. The Tamil Nadu spinner gets his third as he foxes Marco Jansen with a gem of a delivery. South Africa are in deep trouble. SA 65/4 (11)
After the wicket of Ryan Rickelton, India have managed to keep the opposition in check. Varun Chakravarthy is introduced and he strikes with his third ball. South Africa end powerplay at 34/2
Arshdeep Singh strikes once again as Ryan Rickelton is caught by Rinku Singh. The slower ball does the trick for Arshdeep. SA 22/1 (3)
Welcome back to the chase. Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks are in the middle for South Africa. Arshdeep Singh open the bowling for India.
Hardik Pandya survives twice in the last over before the Indian all-rounder finishes the innings with a four. India crawl to 124/6 in 20 overs.
Hardik Pandya is taking on the charge with a four and a six off Marco Jansen. He isn't looking for singles at this moment and wants to face most of the balls. Brilliant ramp shot to end the over. IND 115/6 (18)
SHHOT from Hardik Pandya! Gerald Coetzee tries a yorker but Pandya punishes it that went like a rocket. 100 comes up for India. IND 101/6 (17)
BANGG from Arshdeep Singh as he smashes India's only second six in the innings. Can the partnership of Arshdeep and Hardik Pandya pull India? IND 93/6 (16)
India's slide continues as Rinku Singh holes out to Gerald Coetzee off Nqabayomzi Peter. IND 87/6 (15.2)
More trouble for India as Axar Patel falls short of the crease. Hardik Pandya hits straight to Nqabayomzi Peter and the bowler gets his right hand in the line of the ball, which hits the wicket at the non-striker's end. Rinku Singh comes to the crease. IND 70/5 (12)
India's hopes lay on Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya. The left-handed Axar has maintained the scoreboard running while Pandya is giving him able company. IND 67/4 (11)
50 comes up for India with a four from Axar Patel. This partnership between Axar and Hardik Pandya is crucial for India. IND 54/4 (9)
Another one bites the dust for India as Tilak Varma departs for 20 off Aiden Markram. Hardik Pandya joins Axar Patel in the middle. IND 45/4 (8)
India are in total disarray in Gqeberha. After losing Sanju Samson for a duck in the first over, the visitors lose Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav in no time. Gerald Coetzee gets Sharma while Andile Simelane picks SKY. IND 15/3 (4)
BOWLED! Sanju Samson tries to go over the bowler's head, missed the line and see his leg stump uprooted. Marco Jansen is ecstatic. IND 0/1
National Anthems done in Gqeberha. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma walk in the middle for India. Meanwhile, the sun is playing hide and seek at St George's Park. Marco Jansen with the ball for South Africa.
Both Suryakumar Yadav and Aiden Markram are in the middle for the coin toss. South Africa win the toss and Markram opts to field. India go unchanged. For South Africa, Patrick Kruger makes way for Reeza Hendricks. There was a slight drizzle during the coin toss but one think that's a passing shower.
It's overcast conditions at St George's Park. There is a cloud cover and the area also got a lot of rain. There's a lot of grass on the pitch, the ball will carry through. The pitch will assist batters and bowlers, both. Rain threat looms large.
For the unknown, Aiden Markram has a splendid record as captain in SA20, but at the international arena, things haven't gone his way.
For South Africa, none of their batters were able to stand in front of the bowlers in Durban. The likes of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Aiden Markram were unable to get going against the Indian bowlers.
In the previous game, Sanju Samson smashed a century to become the first Indian batter to score consecutive hundreds in this format. If he smashes a third one today, Samson will become the first batter to score hattrick of T20I tons.
As far as South Africa are concerned, the Proteas have won just one game in their last six T20Is. They lost to West Indies 0-3 before playing a 1-1 draw against Ireland, followed by loss against India.
Unlike the previous game, the 2nd T20I will start an hour before. That means, the 2nd T20I between India and South Africa will start at 7:30 PM IST in Gqeberha. Jio Cinema and Sports18 will live stream the match.
Former cricketer Robin Uthappa has called for Ramandeep Singh's inclusion in the 2nd T20I. However, it is unlikely that Suryakumar Yadav would tinker with the winning combination.
If bowlers are to be concerned, the likes of Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan had a good outing while spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi set up India's win in Durban.
Baring Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma, none of the Indian batters were able to convert their starts. Pressure will be high on opener Abhishek Sharma as he lacked consistency post his T20I ton in Zimbabwe.
Hello and welcome to the second T20I St George's Park in Gqeberha. India are already 1-0 up in the series, having defeated South Africa by 61 runs in Durban.
