Failed experiments, De Kock carnage: SA level series as India capitulate

CHANDIGARH (TIP)- Quinton de Kock’s blazing knock and a forgettable outing for India‘s batters culminated in a crushing 51-run defeat in the second T20I at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Thursday, Dec 11.
South Africa piled up 213 and followed it up with a disciplined bowling performance to level the five-match series 1-1. What began as a day of celebration in Mullanpur ended on a sour note. This was India’s first international match at the venue, and to mark the occasion, stands were unveiled in honor of Yuvraj Singh and Harmanpreet Kaur. The pitch, however, continued to live up to its reputation for unpredictability.
Mullanpur had seen IPL teams consistently defend 200-plus totals earlier this year, and PBKS had even managed to protect 111 against KKR on this very surface. That’s why it was surprising to see Suryakumar Yadav’s decision opt to bowl first—perhaps swayed by the prospect of dew, with the PCA having sprayed anti-dew solution well before play began.
Most fans expected a high-scoring contest and an entertaining chase, but De Kock flipped the script. After two overs where there was some lateral movement, the South African opener began to dismantle India’s bowling attack. Coming off back-to-back ducks, De Kock looked determined to remind everyone why he remains one of the most dangerous T20 batters, especially with the IPL auction and the T20 World Cup approaching.
He blasted 90 off 46 balls, striking five fours and seven sixes, before Jitesh Sharma produced a spectacular catch to end his assault. While the rest of the top order struggled, a late surge from Donovan Ferreira and David Miller powered South Africa to 213/4. For India, Varun Chakravarthy offered the lone bright spot. He bowled Reeza Hendricks with his very first delivery and kept things tight from one end. But outside of the mystery spinner’s control, the rest of the attack steadily unravelled.
Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh leaked 99 runs between them in eight overs. Bumrah, in particular, looked completely off-rhythm, repeatedly dishing out low full tosses that the Proteas punished. It became his third-worst bowling performance in T20Is.
India’s run chase got off to the worst possible start, with Shubman Gill falling off the first ball. Axar Patel was surprisingly promoted to No.3 — a move that puzzled many — but he couldn’t keep up with the scoring rate.
Abhishek Sharma fell for 17 in the second over, and South Africa tightened their grip. Suryakumar Yadav departed after a successful review, and only Tilak Varma offered resistance. By the time Axar was dismissed for 21 (21), India were 67/4 in 7.3 overs, and the writing was on the wall.
Hardik Pandya, the hero from Cuttack, struggled to rotate strike as South Africa bowled with great discipline. Tilak’s fifty off 27 deliveries brought some temporary hope, but with no support at the other end, it was never enough.
Baartman then crushed India’s lower order with three wickets in the 19th over, before Ngidi wrapped up the innings by dismissing Tilak for a valiant 62, sealing a comfortable victory.