In a thrilling encounter at St George’s Park, South Africa fought back valiantly to level the four-match T20I series against India 1-1. Despite a brilliant five-wicket haul from Varun Chakravarthy, the Proteas chased down a modest target of 125 with three wickets to spare.
India’s innings started promisingly, but they soon found themselves in trouble. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed cheaply, leaving India reeling at 15/3. Axar Patel and Tilak Varma provided some stability, but regular wickets prevented India from building momentum. Hardik Pandya’s late surge (39 not out) offered some hope, but India could only muster 124/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
South Africa’s reply got off to a shaky start as they lost early wickets. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Ryan Rickelton, while Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks fell to Chakravarthy. However, Tristan Stubbs remained unyielding at the crease, striking crucial boundaries and keeping his side in the hunt.
Despite a mid-innings wobble, South Africa stayed composed. Gerald Coetzee provided valuable support as the Proteas reached the target with just three wickets down. Chakravarthy’s heroic performance couldn’t save India, as South Africa leveled the series with a thrilling chase.
The match showcased the resilience and determination of both teams. South Africa’s ability to chase down a modest target under pressure was impressive, while India’s bowling attack, led by Chakravarthy, showed their class. With two matches remaining in the series, both teams will be eager to gain an advantage and secure the series victory.
