The second T20I between India and South Africa at St. George’s Park, Gqeberha, was a rollercoaster ride filled with rain, brilliant individual performances, and ultimately, a South African triumph by 5 wickets. Chasing a revised target of 152 in 19 overs after a rain interruption, the Proteas rode on Reeza Hendricks’ unbeaten 74 and Aiden Markram’s 42 to seal the win with two balls to spare.
India’s Strong Start Washed Away
Put in to bat first, India got off to a flying start courtesy of Ishan Kishan’s quickfire 34 and Shreyas Iyer’s brisk 24. However, the rain arrived after 5.3 overs, forcing a lengthy delay. When play resumed, the Proteas bowlers tightened their grip, with Tabraiz Shamsi claiming two crucial wickets in quick succession. Despite Rinku Singh’s valiant 68 off 39 balls and Suryakumar Yadav’s 56 off 36, India could only manage 180/7 in their allotted overs.
Hendricks Steers South Africa Home
In reply, South Africa’s chase began steadily, with Markram and Hendricks building a solid foundation. The duo put on 73 runs for the opening wicket before Markram departed in the 11th over. However, Hendricks continued his onslaught, finding boundaries with ease and bringing up his fifty in just 39 balls.
With the asking rate climbing, David Miller joined Hendricks in the middle and provided the necessary support. The duo stitched a crucial 48-run partnership, taking South Africa closer to the target. Although Miller fell short of his fifty, Hendricks held his nerve till the end, guiding his team to victory with a six off the penultimate delivery.
Key Performances and Turning Points
- Reeza Hendricks’ unbeaten 74: The South African opener was the star of the show, anchoring the chase with his calm and composed knock. His six off the penultimate delivery sealed the deal for his team.
- Tabraiz Shamsi’s two wickets: The left-arm spinner broke the dangerous opening partnership and picked up two crucial wickets in the middle overs, putting the brakes on India’s scoring.
- The rain interruption: The rain delay tilted the momentum in South Africa’s favor, as India lost their early momentum after the resumption.
Result and Series Implications
With this win, South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. The Proteas will be looking to capitalize on this momentum and seal the series in the final match on December 14th. For India, the defeat is a setback, but they will be eager to bounce back and level the series in the upcoming encounter.
Conclusion
The 2nd T20I between India and South Africa was a thrilling encounter that kept the fans on the edge of their seats. Hendricks’ brilliant knock and Shamsi’s timely wickets proved decisive for South Africa, while India will need to regroup and come up with a better performance in the final match to keep the series alive.