Proteas punish India’s batting slump to level the T20 series
South Africa produced a commanding all-round display to crush India by 51 runs in the second T20I at Mullanpur on Thursday, levelling the five-match series 1-1 and raising fresh questions over the form of Shubman Gill and captain Suryakumar Yadav. On a pitch ideal for batting, it was Quinton de Kock’s sparkling 90 off 46 balls that took the game away from the hosts long before India collapsed in reply.
After India opted to field, de Kock unleashed one of his cleanest T20 innings in recent memory, powering South Africa to 213 for four. His knock, played with effortless timing and authority, left India chasing a target that always looked steep despite favourable conditions. De Kock struck seven towering sixes, most of them in the deep square-leg arc, showcasing the freedom and fluency that have defined his best knocks. Having reversed his ODI retirement recently and still uncertain of his long-term T20 plans, he delivered an innings that not only lifted his team but will also draw heavy interest ahead of the upcoming mini-auction, where franchises are expected to keep a close eye on experienced multi-skill players.
India’s response never took flight. The local crowd, eager to watch hometown batters Gill and Abhishek Sharma make an impact, went home disappointed. Lungi Ngidi removed Gill with a seaming delivery off the very first ball the vice-captain faced, taking the outside edge and forcing him to depart for a duck. Abhishek followed soon after, edging Marco Jansen behind, and India found themselves rattled inside just a few overs. Suryakumar, looking to steady the chase, also lasted briefly before faintly edging another Jansen delivery. At 32 for three inside the powerplay, India were already playing catch-up.
Axar Patel, promoted to No. 3, struggled to find any fluency and was dismissed for 21 when Reeza Hendricks just about managed to cling on to a low catch at cover. That left young Tilak Varma with the daunting task of rebuilding while simultaneously keeping pace with an ever-rising required rate. Tilak fought with admirable intent, smashing 62 off 34 balls and refusing to retreat into consolidation mode. But with no partnerships around him and wickets falling regularly, his counterattack could only delay the inevitable. India were bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs, well short of the target.
Earlier, de Kock’s assault had unsettled India’s bowling unit. Arshdeep Singh, who dismissed the South African opener in the series opener, was punished this time with a series of clean hits, including a pick-up shot over the ropes and a fierce pull that sailed over deep mid-wicket. Even Jasprit Bumrah was not spared, conceding 16 in his second over after Hendricks muscled him for a six. Although Varun Chakravarthy provided a breakthrough by trapping Hendricks with a skidding delivery, de Kock kept attacking, ensuring South Africa stayed in control at 53 for one after the powerplay.
Arshdeep’s return in the 11th over only added to India’s troubles. Under pressure from de Kock’s aggression, he lost his rhythm and sprayed seven wides in an over that cost 18. The opener looked destined for a hundred before a moment of misjudgment led to his run-out. Attempting a non-existent single, he was caught short by Jitesh Sharma’s alert glovework.
South Africa, however, did not slow down. Donavan Ferreira’s unbeaten 30 off 16 and David Miller’s 20 off 12 carried the momentum into the final overs, taking 123 runs off India’s last 10 overs. Even Bumrah, usually India’s banker at the death, was struck for two towering sixes by Ferreira in an 18-run final over.
The defeat exposed India’s batting frailties and bowling inconsistencies, setting up a crucial third T20I in Dharamsala on December 14, where both sides will fight to move ahead in the series.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 213/4 in 20 overs
(Quinton de Kock 90, Donavan Ferreira 30*; Varun Chakravarthy 2/29).
India 162 all out in 19.1 overs
(Tilak Varma 62; Baartman 4/24, Marco Jansen 2/25, Lungi Ngidi 2/26).