In a gripping second T20I clash, South Africa emerged victorious by three wickets, tying the series 1-1 after a nail-biting chase of 124. Despite a remarkable spell from India’s Varun Chakravarthy, who claimed a career-best 5 for 17, South Africa’s resilience, led by Tristan Stubbs’ mature 47 off 41 balls and Gerald Coetzee’s late heroics, proved too much for the visitors.
India’s innings struggled from the start, losing three wickets in the first four overs. Sanju Samson, riding high on back-to-back centuries, was bowled for a duck in the opening over by Marco Jansen, setting the tone for South Africa’s disciplined PowerPlay approach.
Coetzee soon dismissed Abhishek Sharma, and Andile Simelane trapped Suryakumar Yadav with a yorker, leaving India at a precarious 15 for 3. Despite brief resistance from Axar Patel and Tilak Varma, the middle order crumbled, and India eventually posted a modest 123, thanks to some late hitting by Hardik Pandya.
In response, South Africa’s chase began steadily, but India fought back with key wickets from Chakravarthy, who dismantled the hosts’ middle order with a devastating spell, reducing them to 86 for 7.
However, Stubbs remained calm, guiding South Africa closer to the target while Coetzee launched a quick 19 off 9 balls, hitting Arshdeep Singh for a towering 103-meter six. With 37 runs needed off the last four overs, Stubbs and Coetzee ramped up the scoring, with Stubbs ultimately securing the win in the penultimate over, striking four boundaries off Arshdeep.
India (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Avesh Khan
South Africa (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Nqabayomzi Peter
