Can Quinton de Kock's Stunning 90 Propel South Africa to Victory?
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Synopsis
In the thrilling second T20I, Quinton de Kock's explosive innings of 90 runs propelled South Africa to a formidable total of 213, setting the stage for an exciting chase against India. Can India's bowlers turn the tide as they face a challenging target in damp conditions?
Key Takeaways
- Quinton de Kock scored a brilliant 90 runs off 46 balls.
- South Africa set a challenging total of 213/4.
- Varun Chakravarthy was the most effective bowler for India.
- Dew played a significant role in the bowlers' performance.
- South Africa's middle order contributed crucial runs in the final overs.
New Chandigarh, Dec 11 (NationPress) Fueled by the explosive innings of opener Quinton de Kock, who scored a remarkable 90 runs off 46 balls, South Africa set a formidable target of 213/4 during their 20 overs in the second T20I against India at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The left-handed batter established a strong foundation with impressive hitting, executing exquisite shots square of the wicket and through the leg-side, including five fours and seven sixes. De Kock also forged a significant partnership of 83 runs with Aiden Markram for the second wicket. Although India managed to take a few wickets, South Africa regained dominance towards the end, with David Miller (20 not out) and Donovan Ferreira (30 not out) contributing 53 runs off just 25 deliveries, pushing their total past 210.
India’s fast bowlers faced challenges due to heavy dew, with Arshdeep Singh giving away nine wides and Jasprit Bumrah struggling with his yorkers. Varun Chakravarthy emerged as the standout bowler, claiming 2 wickets for 29 runs, while Axar Patel took 1 for 27. India is now confronted with a demanding chase, though the dew might alter conditions in their favor.
After being inserted to bat first, de Kock ignited South Africa's innings by targeting an off-target Arshdeep Singh, hitting two sixes and a four in the third over. Alongside Reeza Hendricks, he capitalized on short deliveries, dispatching Bumrah for a pulled six in the fourth over.
India turned to spin in the fifth over, with Chakravarthy striking first by bowling out Hendricks with a quicker delivery that skidded through. This dismissal extended Chakravarthy's success over Hendricks, having removed him three times in just seven balls across T20Is.
Despite this, South Africa kept up their momentum as de Kock targeted Axar Patel in the sixth over, hitting a towering six before finding the boundary off Hardik Pandya and Chakravarthy.
While skipper Markram struggled for rhythm initially, de Kock reached his fifty off just 26 balls with a leg-side whip off a full toss from Pandya, prior to launching Axar for another six and taking Arshdeep down the ground for a maximum in an over that saw a staggering seven wides.
Markram appeared to find his footing as he clobbered Chakravarthy for back-to-back sixes over long-on. However, in an attempt for another, he holed out to deep mid-wicket, allowing Chakravarthy to claim his second wicket.
De Kock continued to shine, hitting boundaries off Hardik Pandya until he was finally dismissed for 90 when wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma made a sharp catch after the ball deflected between his gloves and broke the stumps.
India quickly took another wicket as Axar cramped Dewald Brevis, who top-edged a pull that was caught by long-on sprinting in for a diving catch. Despite challenging conditions for bowlers, Miller and Ferreira combined to strike six boundaries in the last three overs, propelling South Africa past the 210-run threshold.
Brief scores:
South Africa 213/4 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 90, Donovan Ferreira 30 not out; Varun Chakravarthy 2-29, Axar Patel 1-27) against India
Point of View
This match showcased the brilliance of Quinton de Kock, who not only displayed exceptional skill but also helped South Africa establish a strong foothold in the series. As always, cricket fans are eager to see how India responds to such a substantial target under challenging conditions, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the game.
NationPress
11/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Quinton de Kock's score in the match?
Quinton de Kock scored 90 runs off 46 balls.
What was South Africa's total score in the second T20I?
South Africa posted a total of 213 runs for 4 wickets.
Who were the standout bowlers for India?
Varun Chakravarthy took 2 wickets for 29 runs and Axar Patel took 1 wicket for 27 runs.
How did the dew affect the game?
The heavy dew made it difficult for India's bowlers, particularly affecting their control.
What was the partnership between Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram?
Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram shared a partnership of 83 runs for the second wicket.
