The lean run of Shubman Gill and skipper Suryakumar Yadav continued as Indian batters faltered on a good batting pitch, losing the second T20I against South Africa by 51 runs on Thursday.
Quinton de Kock made an effortless 90 off 46 balls, propelling South Africa to a challenging 213 for four after India chose to field.
India were expected to chase down the steep target, but South Africa removed the Indian trio of Abhishek Sharma (17), Gill (0), and Suryakumar Yadav (5) inside the powerplay, putting the hosts on the back foot. India were eventually bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs, with Tilak Varma (62 off 34) playing a lone hand.
The five-match series now stands at 1-1, with the third match scheduled in Dharamsala on December 14.
The local crowd
was hoping for heroics from their home players, Gill and Abhishek, but that was not to be.
Yet to fulfil his potential in the shortest format, vice-captain Gill, facing his very first ball, got a beauty from Lungi Ngidi that seamed away from the length to take a thick outside edge.
Abhishek was caught behind in the following over from Marco Jansen. Next to depart was skipper Suryakumar, who also got a faint edge after Jansen angled it away from him.
Batting at three, Axar Patel (21 off 21) was caught at cover, with Reeza Hendricks just managing to get his fingers under the ball.
From thereon, Tilak batted at a high tempo, but the lack of partnerships and the soaring run rate pushed the game out of India’s reach.
Earlier, de Kock entertained the crowd with his remarkable stroke play.
In full flow, de Kock is among the most attractive batters in the game, showcasing his special skills on a true pitch. He mainly dealt in sixes, with the majority of his seven maximums coming in the deep square leg region.
De Kock, who recently reversed his ODI retirement and was uncertain about his T20 future post the World Cup last year, is back with renewed purpose and remains on top of his game.
An innings like this, just less than a week before the mini-auction, will also create a buzz among franchises, possibly leading to a bidding war for the multi-skilled cricketer.
Arshdeep Singh, who had de Kock caught behind in the series opener, was at the receiving end on Thursday. De Kock began the assault with a pick-up shot for six off Arshdeep before pulling the left-arm pacer for a maximum over deep mid-wicket.
Jasprit Bumrah conceded 16 runs in his second over after being disdainfully pulled for six by Reeza Hendricks. The right-hander missed a skidder from Varun Chakravarthy in the following over, giving India a welcome breakthrough, but de Kock maintained the pressure on the opposition, taking his team to 53-1 in the powerplay.
Brought back into the attack in the 11th over, Arshdeep lost his usual calm under pressure after being smashed for a six down the ground by de Kock. The Indian pacer tried to bowl wide yorkers but failed miserably, ending up bowling as many as seven wides in an 18-run over.
The South African opener looked certain to cross the 100-run mark for the second time in his T20 career but was run out bizarrely by wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma after attempting a non-existent single.
The big hits kept coming even after de Kock’s fall, with Donavan Ferreira (30 not out off 16) and David Miller (20 not out off 12) inflicting damage in the death overs.
Arshdeep’s new ball partner, Bumrah, also had an off day, conceding 18 runs in the 20th over after being hammered for two towering sixes by Ferreira.
India leaked 123 runs in the last 10 overs.
(With PTI Inputs)
