Captain Duminy helps his side cruise to victory
South Africa have now drawn level in the 3-match series after clinching a victory over India in the 2nd T20I. The Proteas won the match by 6 wickets and registered their only fourth victory throughout India’s tour while the visitors have won seven matches across all three formats.
Following the toss, India were sent to bat first by the hosts. Losing the three top-order batsmen in the powerplay with Dhawan posting 24 runs, Rohit making no runs and Kohli getting out for a single-digit score, India depended on Suresh Raina and Manish Pandey to resurrect their innings.
After Raina's departure scoring 30 runs, MS Dhoni and Manish Pandey shared the highest fifth-wicket partnership for India in T20Is away from home. They stitched an unbeaten 98-run stand off just 58 deliveries. Both the batsmen picked up a half-century each and remained not out until the very end of the 1st innings.
Dhoni clubbed 52 runs facing 28 balls while Manish Pandey amassed 79 off 48. Junior Dala, in his second international appearance, took two wickets for the rainbow nation and South Africa skipper Jean-Paul Duminy and Andile Phehlukwayo scalped one wicket each.
While chasing the target of 189 runs, the hosting nation too, saw a fine 93-run partnership between Duminy and Henrich Klassen after South Africa lost two wickets at 38 runs. Opener Reza Hendricks collected 26 runs whereas another opener – JJ Smuts could not manage to make more than 2 runs before leaving the crease.
Klassen got out scoring 69 runs from 30 deliveries but Duminy stood firm until the very end and ensured a long-cherished victory for the Proteas against the solid opponents. Although David Miller fumbled and returned to the pavilion scoring 5 runs, Farhan Behardien provided proper support to his captain with an unbeaten innings of 16 runs.
JP Duminy remained not out scoring 64 runs. And with this win, he offered his side some stability and confidence that they were lacking in since being struck by a bunch of injuries.
Among the Indian bowlers, Jaydev Unadkat took two scalps. Shardul Thakur and Hardik Pandya bagged a wicket each whereas Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal failed to produce any dismissals.
South Africa will take on India in the series-decider on February 24 at Newlands, Centurion. The South Africans will surely try to restore some pride by putting an end to India's outstanding run in the limited-overs.
Score:
IND 188/4 (20.0 Overs)
RSA 189/4 (18.4 Overs)
South Africa won by 6 wickets
