South Africa defeated India by 51 runs in the second T20I of the ongoing five-match series. In the first-ever T20I match played at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on Thursday (December 11), South Africa posted a total of 213/4 in 20 overs after losing the toss, and then they bowled India out for 162 in 19.1 overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock scored 90 runs from 46 balls in the first half, and in the second half, pacer Ottneil Baartman dismissed four Indian batters for just 25 runs in four overs.
The win over India in the second T20I helped South Africa break the record of winning the most T20I matches against India.
The Proteas have won 13 out of 33 T20Is against India. Australia and
England have secured 12 wins each against the 2024 T20 World Cup winners, whereas New Zealand and the West Indies have defeated India 10 times each in the 20-over format of the game.
Most wickets against India in T20Is
| TEAM | MATCHES | WINS | DEFEATS |
| South Africa | 33 | 13 | 19 |
| Australia | 37 | 12 | 22 |
| England | 29 | 12 | 17 |
| New Zealand | 25 | 10 | 14 |
| West Indies | 30 | 10 | 19 |
Flop show by Gill
In the second T20I against South Africa, Indian fans had high expectations from Shubman Gill, but the Punjab-based batter failed to open his account. He got out for a golden duck. On the fifth ball of the run chase, Reeza Hendricks completed his catch off Lungi Ngidi’s bowling in the slips.
‘Can’t rely to Abhishek all the time’
Abhishek Sharma can’t win every game for India, said Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav while accepting that he and deputy Shubman Gill should have taken the onus of batting deeper during team’s 51-run defeat to South Africa.
Abhishek (17 off 8 balls) started well but Gill (0) and skipper Suryakumar (5) were dismissed within the powerplay as India folded for 162.
“I think myself, Shubman, we could have given a good start because we can’t rely on Abhishek all the time. The way he’s been batting, he might have an off-day. Me, Shubman and few other batters should have taken it,” Suryakumar said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“I think it would have been a smart chase. But then it’s okay, Shubman got out on the first ball. But I should have taken that responsibility, batted a little deeper. But as I said we learn, we try and do better in the next game to come,” Suryakumar didn’t make excuses while taking the blame for this defeat.
