Ravi Shastri was his usual jovial self while speaking to South Africa pacer Ottneil Baartman, who led the visitors to a commanding win over Indian in the second T20I at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur in New Chandigarh on Thursday.
Ottneil Baartman starred with the ball, picking up four wickets, including three in the penultimate over of the innings as South Africa defeated India by 51 runs, levelling the five-match series 1-1.
“I reckon the two frontline seamers set the tone for us up front and just allowed me to come in and do my thing. We acknowledged that there was something in the surface, so it was about keeping the ball in the surface and hopefully getting some purchase off the wicket,” Ottneil Baartman
was quoted as saying to the broadcasters at the end of the match.
“They (Jansen and Ngidi) are swing bowlers, so they try to swing the ball up front. Me and Lutho (Sipamla) are natural seam bowlers, so it worked for me today. Just tried to seam it up; maybe wobble seam, cross seam, and we can skid it a little bit, so we just kept it a touch fuller. The training camps are quick and fast, so you need to be warm all the time. Whenever the captain calls upon you, you have to be ready. When they set the tone the way they did, when you have teams three or four down in the powerplay, it’s difficult for them to come back from that. That just allows the backup bowlers to do their thing,” he added.
At which point, Ravi Shastri let him go by announcing: “Now just get out there and take control of the bar, will you.”
Watch:
Ravi shastri-“Now just get out there and take control of the bar, will you?”
“I’ll try to!”
Ravi shastri got no chill#indvssa2ndt20 pic.twitter.com/GT1IK0gfd7— SportoGraphy (@ajangid346) December 11, 2025
India Vs South Africa: 2nd T20I – Highlights
How South Africa Beat India?
Quinton de Kock scored a fiery half-century, leading South Africa to 213 for 4 after being asked to bat.
The Proteas pacers then reduced India to 32 for 3 inside the powerplay. The hosts struggled to keep up with the climbing required rate, folding their innings for 162 in 19.1 overs.
Tilak Varma fought a lone battle for India with a 34-ball 62.
Earlier, de Kock went on a rampage, scoring 90 off 46 balls, including seven sixes and five boundaries after being asked to bat.
Donovan Ferreira (30 not out) and David Miller (20 not out) provided the final flourish.
For India, mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy (2/29) was the pick of the bowlers.
(With inputs from Agencies)
