India Vs South Africa Highlights, 2nd T20I: IND Falter As Quinton de Kock Leads SA To 51-Run Win, Series Tied 1-1

Hello, we’re back with live coverage of India vs South Africa in the second T20I. Stay tuned for updates as the Men in Blue return to action.

The IND vs SA match can be live streamed on the JioHotstar app/website as well as the Star Sports network on Television screens.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Ottneil Baartman, Donovan Ferreira, Kwena Maphaka, George Linde

India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma(w), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana

IND Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

SA Probable XI: Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi

Hardik Pandya’s comeback has already grabbed plenty of attention, and he now stands on the brink of a rare milestone as India face South Africa in the second T20I.

The all-rounder could become the first-ever pacer in Men’s T20Is to register the double of 1,000-plus runs and 100-plus wickets, a landmark previously reached only by Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Nabi, and Sikandar Raza, all of whom achieved it as spin-bowling all-rounders.

India won the toss and opted to bowl first against South Africa.

South Africa (Playing XI): Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh

South Africa’s openers de Kock and Reeza Hendricks are at the crease, with Arshdeep Singh starting the attack. The first few balls tease de Kock, shaping away outside off, nudges towards the on-side, even a chance for a run, but the scoreboard remains untouched as he plays cautiously.

Arshdeep starts with a short one around middle and off, and de Kock doesn’t waste it, he pulls it beautifully to deep mid-wicket for four. Next ball, a bit of width outside off, and de Kock drives it crisply towards cover, but no addition to the total.

Varun Chakaravarthy makes an instant impact, striking in his very first over! A clever carrom ball skids through as Reeza Hendricks rocks back to pull, only to see his stumps rattled. He departs for 8 off 10, but de Kock remains at the crease to steady the innings.

Aiden Markram comes to the crease.

De Kock finds the perfect opportunity as Hardik Pandya drifts one a touch too wide outside off. He leans into a powerful punch, timing it beautifully, and the ball races past Arshdeep in the deep to bring up four more for South Africa, keeping the momentum alive.

De Kock reaches his 17th T20I fifty with a stylish whip through deep mid-wicket, beating the diving fielder. In sublime touch tonight, he’s cheered by Markram and receives a standing ovation from his teammates, looking set to add even more runs.

Varun Chakaravarthy strikes again, this time sending back Markram. A well-tossed delivery lands right in the slot, and Markram goes for the slog, only to sky it straight to deep mid-wicket. Axar holds on comfortably, and Markram walks back after a handy 29 off 26, as Varun exchanges a few fiery words in celebration.

Dewald Brevis comes to the crease.

De Kock misses out on a well-deserved century as he’s run out off a flatter delivery from Varun Chakaravarthy. An under-edge to the keeper sees Jitesh Sharma pounce, whipping off the bails before de Kock can return. He walks back after a spectacular 90 off 46, receiving a standing ovation from all around.

Ferreira jumps all over a juicy full toss from Arshdeep, launching it high over long-on for a massive six that lights up the ground. Miller loves every bit of it, strolling over with a fist bump as Ferreira soaks in the moment.

South Africa wrap up their innings at a strong 213/4. The final ball is full and quick on leg, Ferreira swings hard and misses, but they sneak in a bye to close things out. Hardik walks off with a hand on Surya’s shoulder, the two deep in conversation after a long grind. The backbone of it all, Quinton de Kock’s blazing 90 that set the tone for this big total.

India stride out chasing 213, with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill taking guard. Abhishek wastes no time settling in, Ngidi pitches one up outside off on the third ball, and Abhishek absolutely creams it. Arms freed, swing clean, and the ball sails over extra cover and deep into the crowd for a booming six. A fiery start to a big chase.

Shubman Gill’s night ends before it even begins, Ngidi finds the edge first ball, and Reeza Hendricks snaps it up at slip. A golden duck, and Gill’s T20I rut drags on as India lose an early wicket.

Abhishek Sharma welcomes Marco Jansen with authority, sending the very first ball he faces soaring over deep mid-wicket for a huge six. A half-tracker outside off, perfectly sat up for him, and Abhishek leans back and pulls it cleanly, setting the tone for India’s chase.

Suryakumar Yadav’s frustration continues as he departs for just five. Marco Jansen angling one across outside off, and the Indian captain tries to guide it to third man but only manages a faint edge. De Kock clings on behind the stumps, and after a review, the wicket is confirmed, India lose their third as Suryakumar trudges back, disappointed.

Axar struggles to find his rhythm as Marco Jansen bowls full outside off. He swings hard, slicing it over mid-off, but only manages two runs. Timing is off, and he still looks far from comfortable at the crease.

Tilak Varma pulls off a stunning switch-hit, sending a length ball from Linde soaring over short third man for a massive six. Audacious and perfectly executed, the crowd erupts as he showcases some serious flair.

Tilak Varma smashes Ngidi’s slower full delivery on leg-stump straight into the stands for a huge six, reaching his fifty in style with a classy slog-sweep. The innings is really starting to take flight.

Tilak Varma takes charge as Sipamla bowls full outside off, reaching out to carve a perfect shot over deep extra cover for a massive six. Timing impeccable, he’s clearly showing he’s not done yet in this chase.

Jitesh Sharma’s aggressive innings comes to an end as Sipamla finds the edge. Trying to whip a full, straight delivery off his pads, he gets a leading edge straight up. A perfectly timed communication sees Baartman take the catch at backward point, and India lose another wicket after a brisk 27 off 17.

Shivam Dube comes to the crease.

South Africa bounced back in style, claiming a commanding 51-run win after slipping up in the previous game. Their batting was clinical, making the pitch look far easier than it played, with Quinton de Kock’s 90 setting the tone and solid contributions down the order taking them to 213. India struggled in response, with only Tilak Varma standing out with a 62.

That’s a wrap from this one! We’ll be back with another live blog soon, until then, bye bye.