India vs South Africa 3rd T20I: Quinton de Kock calls the shots as hosts battered
Added: (Mon Sep 23 2019)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
A rebuilding South Africa registered their first big victory with a nine-wicket thrashing of favourites India, squaring the T20 series 1-1 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, producing an all-round show after Virat Kohli opted to bat on a pitch that promised plenty of runs but his batsmen failed.
Quinton de Kock (79*) and Reeza Hendricks (28) built on the platform set by paceman Beuran Hendricks (4-0-14-2) and left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (4-0-23-1), who left the visitors chasing a modest 135. South Africa eased to 140/1 from 16.5 overs.
Skipper de Kock struck his second consecutive half-century of the series, and added 76 runs for the opening wicket. It took yet another athletic catch by Kohli at mid-on to dismiss Reeza and break the partnership in the 11th over. But Temba Bavuma (27*) erased India’s rapidly fading hopes with a quick start, which culminated in an unbeaten 58-run stand with de Kock and a memorable win.
Dhawan and Kohli added 41 off 30 balls, taking India to 54/1 in the first five overs. But despite a poor start—Kagiso Rabada bowled three wides on the trot in his first over that went for 17 runs—the visitors pulled things back via left-arm pacer Beuran Hendricks and Shamsi.
Kohli received a life on three when left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin could not hold on to a sharp return catch. The Indian skipper showed intent to attack in his brief stay, though he fell for nine while looking for yet another flick off Rabada, the spectacular execution of a shot that had fetched him six at Mohali. This time he was caught at the ropes by Andile Phehlukwayo.