In New Chandigarh on Thursday, South Africa turned the second T20I of the five‑match series into a decisive 51‑run victory, thanks to Quinton de Kock’s blistering 90 off 46 balls and Ottniel Baartman’s economical 4‑for‑24. The win evened the series as India were dismissed for 162 in just over 19 overs.
De Kock set a brisk tempo at the top of the order, smashing a century that included five fours and seven sixes. India’s response faltered almost immediately, losing early wickets in the key positions of Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav. Axar Patel’s promotion to the No. 3 slot did not translate into a strong partnership, leaving Tilak Varma as the sole prolific scorer on the Indian side with a scorching 62 from 34 balls. He was unsupported, and wickets whittled down the innings, with Varma being the last wicket taken as India fell short of the target.
South Africa’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, limiting themselves to only five extras across the match, while India’s bowlers conceded 15. Aside from Baartman’s figures, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Lutho Sipamla each took two wickets.
Gill was dismissed for a golden duck after a sharp delivery from Ngidi that squared him up and caused an edge to slip. Abhishek, who went to the boundary twice, was also out for a quick 17 when Jansen delivered a straight ball that sparked a wicket‑catch.
Axar arrived at number three but was soon dismissed too, following an edged back‑of‑a‑length ball, leaving Suryakumar to join in the loss, caught behind for a quick dismissal. Varma gave a firm start, adding three boundaries and a spectacular whipped six off Sipamla. Nevertheless, South Africa’s bowlers continued to chip away at the Indian batting lineup. A mishit by Hardik Pandya to a deep mid‑wicket over a dropped catch by long‑on sealed his dismissal.
Although Varma and Jitesh Sharma produced exciting firework with quick boundaries—Varma’s pull and switch hit that brought out five sixes, and Sharma’s 27 from 17 balls—the match’s outcome was effectively sealed. South Africa clinched the series‑leveling win with a commanding performance.
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