IND vs SA 2nd T20I Live Score: Rain halts play with Coetzee on hat-trick ball, India reach 180.
IND vs SA 2nd T20I Live Score: 2nd T20I: Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl first as rain cleared up minutes before the toss.
In the 2nd T20I between India and South Africa, India's opening batsmen faced early setbacks, both falling for ducks. However, Suryakumar Yadav's impressive half-century paved the way for the visitors to establish control over the game. Yadav initiated a 49-run partnership for the third wicket in just 24 balls. Subsequently, he teamed up with Rinku Singh to build a substantial 70-run stand for the fourth wicket in 48 balls before Yadav was dismissed for a notable 56 off 36 deliveries. South Africa had won the toss earlier and opted to bowl first.
The T20I series between India and South Africa was expected to be underway by now, but unforeseen rain disrupted the opening match on Sunday. Continuous showers in Durban led to the abandonment of the 1st T20I without a single ball being bowled, effectively transforming the series into a two-match affair. While the possibility of a 1-1 draw remains, both India and South Africa are eager to secure a decisive result in the 2nd T20I at St George's Park, Gqeberha—provided the weather permits. In contrast to the rainy conditions at Kingsmead Stadium a few days ago, Team India arrived in Gqeberha under dry weather, hopeful for an action-packed encounter. Fortunately, with dry weather expected, the much-anticipated tour can finally commence.
The two T20Is against South Africa hold significant importance for India, especially for players auditioning for the T20 World Cup, as they have only five T20Is remaining for selection. Among the confirmed starters are Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav. With limited slots and several young talents vying for a place, time is running out for this group of players. The upcoming matches, along with three against Afghanistan next month, will play a crucial role in selection, with the IPL serving as a key criterion.
The South Africa tour follows the Australia series, where India gained valuable insights, including Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy, Ravi Bishnoi's emergence, and notable performances from Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Arshdeep Singh. A strong showing in the upcoming matches would significantly boost their chances.
The expected inclusion of Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja in the side implies likely rest for Tilak Varma and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Ishan Kishan is likely to take the role of wicketkeeper-batter over Jitesh Sharma. No injury reports have emerged from the Indian contingent, making the predicted Playing XI more probable. The return of World Cup stars, including Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Gill, Iyer, Jadeja, and SKY, adds strength to India's fast-bowling lineup, especially in conditions that traditionally favor fast bowlers.
For South Africa, this marks their first series since the World Cup semi-final heartbreak. Key players from that squad, such as Aiden Markram, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gerald Coetzee, and Tristan Stubbs, are expected to feature. The last encounter between the two teams in November showcased India's dominance, but South Africa's pace-friendly and bouncy conditions, led by Coetzee and Williams, could pose challenges. Overcast conditions might favor the team winning the toss, reminiscent of Australia's success against South Africa in the recent World Cup semi-final.
Despite having played only six T20Is against South Africa on their soil, India has a positive record, winning both bilateral T20I series in 2011 and 2018. The question remains whether they can complete a hat-trick in the upcoming matches.
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