IND vs SA: 2nd T20I Review – Heinrich Klaasen leads SA to 2-0 lead
South Africa have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series courtesy of an emphatic four-wicket win over India in the second game at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on June 12. The pressure is now on the Indian team to bounce back from hereon with the series on the line.
The coin once again landed in the favour of the visiting skipper Temba Bavuma who had absolutely no hesitation in bowling first. The move paid off brilliantly as opener Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed for just one. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were then involved in a small partnership. However, once Ishan was dismissed, the Men in Blue suffered a middle-order collapse that hampered their momentum in the innings.
Meanwhile, Shreyas kept the scoreboard ticking and continued the attack before being sent back for a 35-ball 40. Dinesh Karthik smashed an unbeaten 21-ball 30 as India finished at 148/6. Anrich Nortje was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas while Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius and Keshav Maharaj picked up a wicket each.
South Africa in reply were tottering at 29/3 before Powerplay riding on three wickets from senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Nonetheless, the middle-order once again came to the rescue, but this time in the form of wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen. David Miller was once again instrumental in yet another successful run chase with a vital supporting knock.
Klaasen demoralized the Indian bowlers with a superb knock of 81 runs from 46 deliveries at a strike rate of 176.1 including seven fours and five sixes. In the end, Miller added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 15-ball 20.
Top Performers of the game
Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik who did not get a chance in the previous game made the most of his opportunities by taking the Proteas bowlers to the cleaners in the death overs. His counter-attacking knock helped India finish at a respectable total of 148/6. Karthik remained unbeaten on 30 runs from 21 deliveries including two fours and as many sixes at a strike rate of 142.9.
Heinrich Klaasen
Heinrich Klaasen was calm and composed when South Africa suffered a top-order collapse early on in their run chase. He batted exceptionally well which also boosted David Miller’s morale later on. The Proteas stumper scored 81 runs from 46 balls that helped them in taking a series lead.
What’s next for both sides?
Both teams will now be locking horns in the third T20I at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag on June 14.
