Hello and welcome to the live blog for the India vs South Africa 2nd T20I.
India kicked off the four-match T20I series against South Africa with a commanding win in the opening game in Durban.
India started the four-match T20I series against South Africa with a dominant win in the opening game in Durban on Friday. Opting to bat first, the visitors posted a massive total of 202/8 in 20 overs, powered by a blistering century from Sanju Samson. In response, India bowled out South Africa for 141, securing a comfortable 61-run victory and taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Following their dominant win in the opening game, India will look to build on their momentum as they take on South Africa in the second T20I of the four-match series at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, on Sunday. A second consecutive victory would bring India one step closer to securing the series. South Africa, aware of the challenge, will be eager to bounce back and level the score. In the first match, Sanju Samson was the star, smashing a sensational century to guide India to a comfortable 61-run victory over Aiden Markram and his team. While India will be pleased with the win, they will be hoping for stronger performances from the rest of the batting unit. Meanwhile, the bowlers put in a collective effort, helping India seal a commanding win.
Samson made history by becoming the first Indian batter and the fourth overall to score two consecutive T20I centuries. He will now look to create another record by becoming the first player in the world to hit three consecutive T20I centuries.
The continued struggles of opener Abhishek Sharma, who has wasted several opportunities, are likely a growing concern for the team management.
Tilak Varma showed glimpses of his potential with a quick-fire 33 off 18 balls in the first match, but he will need to turn such cameos into more substantial innings. Since his last appearance against Afghanistan in January, Varma has been largely under the radar. With fierce competition for middle-order spots, the young batter will be keen to establish himself in the side.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav also got off to a start but fell cheaply, while all-rounder Hardik Pandya failed to live up to his potential in the opening match.
India were clinical with the ball, restricting South Africa to just 141 in 17.5 overs in the opening match. Varun Chakravarthy carried over his excellent form from the Bangladesh series, taking a brilliant three-wicket haul, while Ravi Bishnoi was equally impressive, finishing with figures of 3/28.
The two spinners did a superb job of containing South Africa’s powerful batting line-up on a relatively flat Durban pitch. Pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan also contributed effectively. With the bowling attack firing on all cylinders, India will be confident of another strong showing in the second T20I as they look to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Ramandeep Singh, the versatile all-rounder from KKR, is tipped to make his debut. He may replace Axar Patel in the playing XI, after the left-arm spinner bowled only a single over in the previous match.
India’s Predicted XI for the 2nd T20I:
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan
South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram(c), Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Patrick Kruger, Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Nqabayomzi Peter, Mihlali Mpongwana, Donovan Ferreira, Ottneil Baartman, Reeza Hendricks
Here are the live updates from the India vs South Africa 2nd T20I match:
The match will be held at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, with the action starting at 7:30 PM (IST), and the toss taking place 30 minutes prior.
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