Sanju Samson’s scintillating century propelled India to a resounding 61-run victory in the series opener against South Africa in Durban. However, the lack of contributions from other key batters remains a concern heading into the second game in Gqeberha.
Samson’s 107-run knock from 50 balls, studded with seven fours and 10 sixes, powered India to a formidable 211/4. The Proteas, missing several key players, struggled to keep up with the pace and were restricted to 150/9.
Despite the emphatic win, India’s batting lineup has raised questions. Apart from Samson, only Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (29) made significant contributions. The likes of Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Tilak Varma failed to make an impact.
The weather forecast for the second T20I in Gqeberha is not promising. Rain is expected to arrive after the start of the match, around 6 PM local time (9:30 PM IST). The forecast predicts high chances of afternoon and evening showers, which could lead to interruptions and delays.
Even if the overs are reduced, there is a high possibility that rain might return later in the day, which could eventually lead to the match being washed out. The temperature will fluctuate between 15 to 21 degree celsius throughout the day.
For South Africa, the loss was a hard blow, marking their second consecutive defeat to India after their loss in the T20 World Cup final in June. With key players such as Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi all missing from the squad, the Proteas are already struggling without some of their most experienced campaigners.
The absence of these senior players will make the second T20I an uphill battle for South Africa, particularly with their recent form. Having lost 0-3 to the West Indies and drawn a series against Ireland, the Proteas will need improved performances from their senior players, including captain Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen.
