IND vs SA 2nd T20I: South Africa Crush India by 51 Runs, Level Series 1–1; India Suffer Their Biggest Home Defeat
South Africa defeated India by 51 runs in the second T20I. Chasing a target of 214, Team India were bowled out for 162 runs in 19.1 overs. With this loss, the five-match T20 series is now tied 1–1. Tilak Varma scored a fighting half-century for India, while pacer Arshdeep Singh had an expensive outing.
Punjab Stars Fail at Home
In the second T20I held at Mullanpur, Punjab, the so-called ‘Punjabi advantage’ did not work for India. Arshdeep Singh conceded 54 runs in 4 overs, while vice-captain Shubman Gill (0) and opener Abhishek Sharma (17) also failed to deliver at their home ground.
As a result, India suffered their biggest T20I defeat at home by runs.
Chasing 214, India collapsed for 162. With the series now tied, the poor form of captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill has become a major concern.
South Africa’s Strong Start
After losing the toss, South Africa (213/4) made a solid start with Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock adding 38 runs for the first wicket. Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Hendricks, who scored 8 off 10 balls.
Captain Aiden Markram then joined De Kock, and together they added a quick 83-run stand off 47 balls. Varun Chakravarthy once again broke the partnership.
Quinton de Kock Misses a Century
De Kock, who was heading towards a century, was run out for 90 runs off 46 balls, smashing 5 fours and 7 sixes. Markram scored 29 off 26 balls before falling to Chakravarthy.
Axar Patel later dismissed Dewald Brevis (14). Donovan Ferreira (30*) and David Miller (20*) remained unbeaten.
Arshdeep Singh Expensive With the Ball
Arshdeep Singh gave away 54 runs in 4 overs and remained wicketless. In his 11th over, he bowled 7 wides.
Jasprit Bumrah conceded 45 runs, while Hardik Pandya gave away 34 runs in 3 overs.
Varun Chakravarthy took 2 wickets, and Axar Patel picked up 1 wicket.
India’s Batting Collapse
Chasing 214, India had a disastrous start and lost 3 key wickets inside the powerplay.
- Shubman Gill: Golden Duck
- Abhishek Sharma (17): caught by De Kock
- Suryakumar Yadav (5): failed again, his 20th consecutive T20 innings without impact
Tilak Varma Stabilizes the Innings
After losing early wickets, Tilak Varma and Axar Patel added 35 runs off 22 balls for the fourth wicket.
Axar played a slow knock of 21 off 21 balls (1 four, 1 six) before getting out in the 8th over.
At 10 overs, India were 81/4, needing 133 more runs.
Hardik Pandya Scores 20 Runs
Hardik and Tilak built a 51-run partnership, but Hardik departed for 20 runs.
In the 18th over, Jitesh Sharma fell after scoring a quick 27 off 17 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes).
Shivam Dube (1) and Arshdeep Singh also fell cheaply.
Tilak Varma Fights Alone
Tilak Varma was the final wicket to fall after scoring an impressive 62 off 34 balls.
For South Africa:
- Otniel Bartman: 4 wickets
- Lungi Ngidi, Lutho Sipamla, Marco Jansen: 2 wickets each
South Africa completely dominated the match, sealing a convincing 51-run victory.
