South Africa beat India by four wickets in the second T20I in Cuttack to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Unlike in the opening T20I, India put up a dismal performance with the bat in the second game, managing a below par total of 148 in 20 overs. Ishan Kishan hit a knock of 34 while Shreyas Iyer top scored with 40. But both these batsmen batted at a poor strike rate. Down the order, Dinesh Karthik and Harshal Patel hit a few boundaries to take India to a total of 148.
Kagiso Rabada was South Africa’s best bowler in the game. The pacer gave away only 15 runs in his four overs while also picking up a wicket. Anrich Nortje picked up two wickets but was a bit expensive, having leaked 36 runs in his four overs.
Chasing 149 runs to win, South Africa lost a few quick wickets before Heinrich Klaassen played a flamboyant knock of 81 off 64 at a strike rate of almost 177 to take the visitors over the line. India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled exceptionally well – picking four wickets for just 13 runs – but the effort came in a losing cause.
“We were 10-15 runs short. Bhuvi and the fast bowlers bowled well in the first 7-8 overs. But after that we weren't up to the mark. In the second half we needed wickets, but we couldn't get those wickets. They (Klaasen and Bavuma) actually batted really well,” India captain Rishabh Pant said after the game.
The third T20I will be played on June 14 and for India to avoid a series loss, this game will be a must-win.
Image credit: ICC/BCCI
