India began their tour of South Africa 2023-24 with a loss. After the first T20 International scheduled between the teams was abandoned due to the rain, the second witnessed South Africa beat India by five wickets, chasing down the requisite 152 runs required to win by the DLS Method. (Cricket News)
India scored 180 runs in their turn, with their innings interrupted three balls short of 20 overs by the rain in Gqeberha. South Africa, meanwhile, chased down the reduced target in 13.5 of the 15 overs assigned, claiming the win and taking the lead in the three-T20I series.
Analysing the game later, former Indian international Gautam Gambhir broke down the Indian bowling attack, praising Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Sharma but lamenting at the performance put in by Arshdeep Singh.
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"I feel that Mohammed Siraj will bowl much worse than this and yet finish with better figures," Gambhir said.
"I was a bit disappointed with Arshdeep because after he bowled the first over, the Powerplay was over and the ball got wet and tough to get a grip of.
"The 13th over which Mukesh bowled was spectacular, with pin-point yorkers with a wet ball and against a bowler like David Miller. These are some big positives, and going forward, if the conditions aren't so wet, this bowling line-up will appear a lot different."
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India play South Africa in the third and final T20I in Johannesburg on December 14, 2023, Thursday.
