Match Center

Right then, that is it from this entertaining game where South Africa goes ahead in the series while India will now look to come back stronger and level it in the next game. The third and final T20I will be played on 14th December, Thursday at 8.30 pm IST (3 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Aiden Markram, the victorious skipper of South Africa says that it is a nice start and it was a pity not being able to play in front of the crowd in Durban. Reckons the wicket was initially on the slower side but the drizzle helped and then the rain came and the wicket got better in the second innings. On Tabraiz Shamsi, he says that it is tricky to know where to bowl him but credit to him for bowling superbly and to err is human but the plan needs to be there. On Reeza Hendricks, he says that it was another excellent knock from him and is very happy for him. On the T20 World Cup next year, he says that selection will most likely be done on the basis of form then and there might be a couple of places up for grabs.

Tabraiz Shamsi is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his excellent spell with the ball. He says that the key for him was to bowl in the right areas and as per the plans. He adds up saying that he is mighty pleased with his performance in this game considering he had not done well in a couple of matches against India in the past. He concludes that Aiden and Rob Walter have created a great atmosphere in the camp which is showing in the way the boys are performing.

Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of India says that the opposition batted beautifully in the first 5-6 overs and that took the game away from them. Adds that this is the brand of cricket they want to play and the message was loud and clear - to go out and express themselves. Mentions that it was a bit tough for them in the field but he told the boys that they have to get out of their comfort zone and get the job done. Adds that the mood in the camp is always happy and they leave everything on the field and once off it, they are all smiles.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, India posted a good total on the board courtesy of Rinku Singh's highest score in T20Is and another excellent half-century from Sky along with good contributions from Tilak Varma and Ravindra Jadeja. They actually played three balls less in their innings due to rain and the target was revised for the hosts to 152 runs in 15 overs. For South Africa, Gerald Coetzee was the standout performer with the ball with three wickets while except for Andile Phehlukwayo, every other bowler chipped in with one each.  While chasing, the Proteas openers made sure to get off to a quick start and they continued the momentum throughout the chase. There was a little bit of a collapse in the middle, but they managed to keep their calm and take the win here.

India, on the other hand, will be a bit disappointed. Their pacers were taken to the cleaners in the Powerplay, especially Arshdeep Singh. It forced them to introduce Ravindra Jadeja early into the attack where the hosts gifted them a wicket with a massive miscommunication. However, they just could not build on that as the opposition skipper along with Reeza Hendricks were able to score runs at their will. They were on the back foot for most of the game but once Mukesh Kumar got rid of Markram, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav followed with two quick wickets which made things interesting again. However, with the dew factor going against them, the runs continued to flow and although Mukesh was able to get Miller out, it was not enough for them to get over the line.

South Africa got off to an absolute flier scoring 38 runs in the first two overs with both openers going bang bang. However, a mix-up in the middle cost Matthew Breetzke his wicket who showed glimpses of his talent. Aiden Markram joined Reeza Hendricks and continued the momentum as they were dealing with only boundaries and used the Powerplay brilliantly. Markram scored a quick-fire 30 off just 17 balls before getting out while Hendricks missed out on a well-deserved fifty by just one run. As they lost both the set batters, it started a mini collapse for them as they went from 96-1 to 108-4 which put a bit of pressure back on them. However, Tristan Stubbs and David Miller took back control of the game and with some sensible batting got them on the verge of the win when the latter lost his wicket, but Andile Phehlukwayo came out and finished the job with a massive hit with 7 balls to spare.

THE PROTEAS GET HOME! In doing so, they take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series. Their batters took responsibility on their shoulders and made sure that they didn't change the style of play even if they lost wickets. That has helped them to get the better of this strong Indian side here.

SIX! Wow, what a way to finish the game! South Africa have done it and the crowd goes wild inside St. George's Park. This is a real drag down from Ravindra Jadeja around leg stump, Andile Phehlukwayo hangs deep in his crease and just whacks it high and handsome over the square leg fence for a biggie. South Africa win by 5 wickets!

Sees the batter advancing and fires it in at the toes. Andile Phehlukwayo somehow manages to get some bat on it and gets it past short fine leg for a couple of runs.

Short and outside off, cut away firmly toward sweeper cover for a single.

FOUR! Risky but turns out positive for Tristan Stubbs. On a length and on middle, Stubbs attempts the reverse sweep but gets a top edge that goes over the keeper's head. Arshdeep Singh tries to chase it down from inside the 30-yard circle but is well beaten.

Quicker and shorter around leg stump, Andile Phehlukwayo goes back in his crease and heaves it away to deep square leg for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to bowl the penultimate over. He has conceded 15 runs in his first two.

Pitched up on the off stump, this is driven down nicely to long off for one.

Andile Phehlukwayo walks out to bat now.