IND vs SA 4th T20I: Dinesh Karthik blitz sets up India’s series-levelling win over South Africa
IND vs SA 4th T20I: India bowled out South Africa for 87/9 in 16.5 overs, tying the five-match T20I series at 2-2. Avesh Khan took four wickets.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was defending a total of 169 runs, got off to a good start, giving up only one run in the first over. In the next over, Hardik Pandya stepped in to bowl and gave up 12 runs as South Africa scored 13 runs in two overs. Bhuvneshwar’s ball impacted the helmet of Protea skipper Temba Bavuma in the third over, and he was forced to depart hurt.
The visitors batted steadily until Quinton de Kock was run out for 14. And they lost their first wicket on 24 as a result of a mix-up.
South Africa lost their second wicket for 26 runs in the next over when Avesh Khan removed Dwaine Pretorius for a duck caught behind by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
Yuzvendra Chahal made India’s third breakthrough when he bowled Heinrich Klaasen leg-before-wicket for eight runs. In 9 overs, the visitors clawed their way to 50 runs.
Proteas were reduced to 59 for 4 when the dangerous David Miller was dismissed for nine runs in the 11th over.
In the 14th over, Avesh Khan hit three times, dismissing Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen, and Keshav Maharaj to reduce Proteas to 78/7.
South Africa was bowled out for 87 in the next over, with Chahal dismissing Anrich Nortje for 1 and also Axar Patel dismissing Lungi Ngidi for 4 as Bavuma did not come out to bat, handing India an 82-run victory.
The Indian team got off to a bad start when they put in to bat earlier in the day. Losing Ruturaj Gaikwad for 5 in the second over of the contest. South Africa’s first wicket taken by Lungi Ngidi, who caught the opening behind by wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock.
In the next over, newcomer Marco Jansen dismissed Shreyas Iyer leg. Before wicket for four runs, making him his first T20I victim. At 24 for 2, India was in trouble.
India were 40 for the loss of two wickets in six overs of required powerplay, with Ishan Kishan looking good. After the powerplay, Anrich Nortje removed the southpaw for 27, and India lost their third wicket for 40 runs.
In 7.4 overs, captain Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya put the team’s total above the 50-run mark. India were 56 at the conclusion of 10 overs thanks to Pant and Pandya’s steady batting.
Pandya continued to hit big shots, while Pant served as the anchor.
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj broke the 41-run partnership by dismissing Pant for 17 off 23 balls, leaving India in trouble at 81/4.
Pandya joined at the crease by Dinesh Karthik. And the combination put the team’s total above the triple-figure mark in 15.1 overs. Both batters batted vigorously in order to increase the pace of scoring. In the IPL, Karthik continued to play in the same manner.
Lungi Ngidi took his second wicket, breaking the 65-run stand. Also India lost half of their team for 146 runs as he dismissed Hardik Pandya for 46 runs off 31 balls.
In 18.3 overs, India crossed the 150-run mark. Moreover, Dinesh Karthik blasted a six to complete his maiden T20 international half-century in just 26 balls. However, Dwaine Pretorius dismissed him for 55 on the very next ball.
Brief scores:
India 169/6 in 20 overs (Dinesh Karthik 55, Hardik Pandya 46; Lungi Ngidi 2/20)
South Africa 87/9 in 16.5 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 20; Avesh Khan 4/18, Yuzvendra Chahal 2/21)
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