Winning skipper, Player of the Match, and Player of the Series
I am good. I am walking, so good. Always a good feeling. When it comes in a winning cause, it makes me happier. We wanted to play some fearless brand of cricket. The idea was to bat first, put runs on the board and try and defend. The bowlers did really well. They work really hard in the nets. Happy that they showed some character. (On Kuldeep) He is never happy with 3-fers or 4-fers. He is always hungry for 5-fers. It is a nice self gift on his birthday. I mean it is important to know your game. I just go out there and enjoy myself. The balance is important.
ByChirayu Jain
Dec 14 2023 11:59 PM
Aiden Markram speaks
Wasn't too unhappy with chasing 200. Felt we could have chased it down. Was chaseable. It was slightly on the lower side. When we were fielding, it seemed batters could hit it everywhere. Would have been nice to do better. There are some positives that we can take forward. Couple of good things and couple of things we can work on.
Bowled and that will be it. Fifer for Kuldeep Yadav. He took his last four wickets in seven balls. Three in the over, which brings curtains to the game. India win by 106 runs. David Miller is the last man to go.
Surely a birthday to remember for Kuldeep. He gets his career best figures of [2.5-0-17-5] on the eve of his 29th.
ByChirayu Jain
Dec 14 2023 11:46 PM
India appeal (DRS available xD)
The DRS situation has been an absolute drama tonight. This time, Lizaad Williams attempted the reverse sweep, but the ball eventually hit his body. A low-key appeal, but Jadeja who says “Le Lo” sends it upstairs.
DRS says it's hitting the stumps, and Kuldeep gets his second in the over, and fourth tonight. Been a dream night for Indian spinners, as the ninth wicket falls down.
ByChirayu Jain
Dec 14 2023 11:43 PM
Nandre Burger departs
Kuldeep strikes for the third time tonight. Nandre Burger has to depart.
ByChirayu Jain
Dec 14 2023 11:40 PM
End of 13 overs
SA are 94 for 7. They need 108 more runs to win from 42 balls.
ByChirayu Jain
Dec 14 2023 11:36 PM
Nandre 'Debutant' Burger is in to bat
Nandre Burger is in to bat at 9. Can he put up a show with Miller?
ByChirayu Jain
Dec 14 2023 11:35 PM
Kuldeep crashes the stumps, again...!!!
Kuldeep Yadav's good form with the ball continues, as Keshav Maharaj succumbs for 1 off 3. South Africa seven down now.
ByChirayu Jain
Dec 14 2023 11:31 PM
Appealed..!!
Now that the DRS is available, Indians choose not to review it. The drama continues in the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
And just as we type, Sir Jadeja catches his South African counterpart off his own bowling. Andile Phehlukwayo departs for a duck, as the Proteas are 82/6 after 11 overs.
ByChirayu Jain
Dec 14 2023 11:29 PM
Edged and Four
Miller continues his lucky night to find a boundary off the edge. The bowler is Jadeja. Not a good feeling for him.
ByChirayu Jain
Dec 14 2023 11:27 PM
The Perfect Answer
On the very next ball of getting hit for a six, Kuldeep Yadav strikes by thrashing through the defence of Ferreira. South Africa have lost half their side now.
After 10 overs, 75 for 5.
ByChirayu Jain
Dec 14 2023 11:25 PM
Donovan Ferreira goes BIG
Kuldeep Yadav has been pelted for half a dozen.
ByChirayu Jain
Dec 14 2023 11:24 PM
Injury to assault for the Indians
After a short break, the DRS is now available. So that clearly indicates a lucky survival for David Miller. All the drama exactly in those two overs. Indians are definitely not amused at the moment.
ByChirayu Jain
Dec 14 2023 11:20 PM
Appeal, and Oh...!!!
There was an appeal for caught behind. Quite confident actually, but umpire remains unmoved. Indians wanted to take the review, but the DRS isn't available due to technical glitch.
The TV replay shows there was a clear deflection, which potentially means that David Miller has survived big time. The Indians must be kicking themselves in disbelief at the moment. Nevertheless, end of an eventful over by Jadeja.
India will be taking on South Africa in the 3rd T20I on December 14, at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. In the 2nd T20I clash at St George’s Park, India faced a setback, falling short by five wickets against South Africa. With a target of 152 runs in 15 overs, India's bowlers struggled to defend, leaving the visitors unsettled. The adjusted target seemed in India's favour, but the absence of key fast bowlers put them on the back foot.
South Africa triumphed, buoyed by a strong start from their openers, setting the stage for victory. Their confidence going into Johannesburg is high, especially with key pacer Gerald Coetzee's promising form. The Wanderers Stadium pitch favours fast bowlers, making Coetzee pivotal for South Africa. For India, Mohammad Siraj stands as their mainstay, while South Africa might target Arshdeep Singh.
The series, after a rain-interrupted first match, saw South Africa seizing control in the second encounter. India's bowling line-up seemed mismatched for the conditions, while South Africa, despite losing a key pacer, displayed strength in their bowling unit. Tabraiz Shamsi's impressive 1 for 18 from four overs showcased South Africa's bowling prowess.
India to bank on their young guns
As India head to Johannesburg, a revaluation of their bowling strategies becomes imperative. The Wanderers Stadium pitch promises a balanced contest between bat and ball. While Siraj and Mukesh Kumar showcase pace and swing, Arshdeep’s reliance on movement might leave India a bowler short.
Mukesh Kumar’s crucial dismissals of Markram and Miller underscore his significance in India's bowling attack. His ability to generate movement both ways can provide crucial breakthroughs. However, spinners might face challenges on this ground, as witnessed in the previous match. Despite the presence of Deepak Chahar, India might persist with their young guns, retaining Arshdeep in the playing XI.
India vs South Africa predicted XI:
South Africa
Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram (C), Heinrich Klaasen (WK), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nandre Burger, Ottniel Baartman, Lizaad Williams, Tabraiz Shamsi