IND vs SA: Quinton de Kock produced a breathtaking masterclass in power-hitting as South Africa hammered India by 51 runs in the second T20I at Mullanpur on Thursday, levelling the five-match series 1-1.
On a night when almost everything clicked for the visitors, de Kock's whirlwind 90 off 46 balls set the tone for a dominant all-round show.
Asked to bat first, South Africa made a steady start before de Kock went into overdrive. The left-hander was ruthless against pace, launching seven towering sixes and dealing mostly in clean, authoritative strokes.
His innings provided the perfect platform for a late surge, which came courtesy of Donovan Ferreira and David Miller. Ferreira's 30 off 16 and Miller's brisk 20 from 12 balls ensured that the Proteas crossed the imposing 200-run mark, finishing at 213/4.
India's bowling attack looked off-colour for most of the evening. Arshdeep Singh, in particular, endured a tough outing, struggling with control and conceding seven wides in a single over - a moment that summed up India's lack of discipline with the ball.
Chasing a steep target, India needed a fluent start but instead crumbled under pressure. Shubman Gill perished for a golden duck, Abhishek Sharma followed soon after, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav's dismissal inside the powerplay left the hosts reeling. With the top order dismantled early, India were always playing catch-up.
Tilak Varma briefly revived hopes with a spirited 62 off 34 balls, showcasing his growing maturity in the format. His counter-attacking knock was filled with crisp strokeplay, but the lack of support from the other end meant India never truly threatened the target. Regular wickets derailed the chase, and the home side eventually folded for 162. Ottneil Baartman was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with figures 4-24-4.
For South Africa, the win not only restores parity in the series but also boosts confidence ahead of the remaining games. India, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly, especially in the bowling department, to prevent the visitors from seizing momentum as the series moves forward.
