Quinton de Kock produced a vintage match-winning performance as De Kock stars as South Africa stormed to a 51-run victory over India in the second T20I in Mullanpur on Thursday, leveling the five-match series 1-1.
The left-hander smashed a blistering 90 off 46 balls, setting the platform for South Africa’s imposing 213/4 after being invited to bat first. India, in response, folded for 162 in 19.1 overs despite a fighting fifty from Tilak Varma.
South Africa were under pressure after their collapse in the opening match, but de Kock ensured no repeat of that rough outing.
After surviving an early run-out scare, he shifted gears immediately, launching seven sixes and five fours in a dominant display of clean hitting.
He brought up his 17th T20I half-century off just 26 balls and stitched a crucial 83-run stand with captain Aiden Markram (29), which kept the visitors ahead in the powerplay.
India tried frequent bowling changes, but nothing stopped de Kock’s rhythm. Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, and Arshdeep Singh all faced the heat, with Arshdeep enduring an 18-run over that included seven wides.
Dewald Brevis (14) and Donovan Ferreira (30* off 15) added valuable bursts in the final overs, as India’s death bowling struggled with the dew and lost control.
Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep combined to concede 99 runs in eight overs on an unusually off night.
Chasing 214, India’s hopes dipped quickly when Shubman Gill fell for a golden duck to Lungi Ngidi’s perfect away-seamer. Marco Jansen then delivered a brilliant powerplay spell, removing Abhishek Sharma (17) and captain Suryakumar Yadav (5), leaving India reeling at 28/3. With the top order gone early, the asking rate ballooned past 12 per over.
Axar Patel (21) and Tilak Varma attempted to rebuild, adding a brisk 35-run stand. Tilak continued the fight, smashing a 27-ball half-century and keeping the scoreboard moving with clean hits down the ground and over mid-wicket. He found support from Hardik Pandya (20 off 23) and later Jitesh Sharma (27 off 17), but the mounting pressure led to regular wickets.
Ottneil Baartman was South Africa’s standout bowler, finishing with superb figures of 4/24. His double strikes through the middle overs broke India’s momentum, while Sipamla and Ngidi delivered key blows at the death.
India needed 91 off the final five overs, an improbable task even for their power-hitters, and the visitors closed out the match with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding.
The defeat highlighted India’s over-reliance on individual brilliance and exposed the inconsistency in their top order. For South Africa, the match marked a strong comeback, driven by de Kock’s explosive knock and a disciplined all-round bowling effort.
With the series now level at 1-1, the third T20I in Dharamsala on Sunday promises to be a high-stakes contest, as both teams continue their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Score Summary
South Africa racked up 213/4 in their 20 overs, powered by Quinton de Kock’s 90 and Donovan Ferreira’s unbeaten 30. Varun Chakravarthy picked up 2/29.
India replied with 162 all out in 19.1 overs, led by Tilak Varma’s 62, but Ottneil Baartman (4/24) and Marco Jansen (2/25) sealed a 51-run win for the visitors.
