Gqueberha, Nov 10 (UNI) South Africa made an explosive start in the second T20I clash with India, reducing the Men in Blue to a perilous 124/6 at the end of their innings after a disastrous top-order collapse.
Marco Jansen struck early, dismissing India’s wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson for a duck. Samson, fresh off back-to-back centuries, was bowled out after attempting to make room, exposing all his stumps to Jansen’s length ball around leg. Samson's dismissal came for 0 off 3 balls, putting India on the backfoot from the very start.
The Indian top-order continued to falter as Gerald Coetzee added to the woes by removing Abhishek Sharma for just 4 runs. Sharma's dismissal came after a review overturned a previous decision for caught behind, but he was soon caught by Jansen off a short ball.
India's third wicket fell in the very next over, as Suryakumar Yadav fell victim to a plumb LBW decision, departing for just 4 off 9 balls.
With India reeling at 45/4 in the 8th over, Tilak Varma and Axar Patel fought to rebuild the innings. Varma, who had previously shown promise, was dismissed for 20 off 20 balls, caught in a stunning one-handed catch by David Miller off Aiden Markram.
However, Axar Patel remained a bright spot, hitting four boundaries to keep India’s hopes alive. He struck 27 off 21 balls before being run out by Nqabayomzi Peter in the 11th over, leaving India further in the lurch at 70/5.
Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya’s attempts to salvage the innings were in vain as both fell in quick succession. Rinku was caught by Coetzee for 9, while Pandya’s valiant knock of 39* kept the scoreboard ticking. He faced a barrage of deliveries from Jansen, including two dropped catches by South Africa, but kept India’s score moving with four boundaries and a six.
As the innings drew to a close, India managed to reach 124/6, with Pandya remaining unbeaten. Despite the late fightback, South Africa's bowlers had the upper hand, and India will need to bowl brilliantly to remain competitive in this match.
Brief Scores: India 124/6 (20 overs); Hardik Pandya 39* (45), Axar Patel 27 (2); South Africa: Marco Jansen 1/25, Gerald Coetzee 1/25.
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