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The second T20I between India and South Africa witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum as the Indian batting lineup crumbled under pressure from a disciplined South African bowling attack. The match, played on a bouncy pitch, saw India post a below-par score of 124 for six, setting up a challenging chase for the Proteas. The South African bowlers, led by a sensational five-wicket haul from Varun Chakaravarthy, exploited the conditions effectively and kept the Indian batsmen under constant pressure.
The Indian top order experienced a collective meltdown, failing to adapt to the challenging conditions. Abhishek Sharma, who has struggled in recent T20Is, continued his underwhelming form, falling early to a miscued pull shot. Sanju Samson, who had become the first Indian batsman to score back-to-back T20I hundreds, was also dismissed cheaply, failing to adapt to the bounce. The Proteas bowlers maintained their control throughout the innings, denying the Indian batters any respite.
Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian captain, shuffled across his crease too much and was trapped LBW by Andile Simelane, marking the pacer's maiden international wicket. The Indian innings remained subdued, with Axar Patel showing some resistance with a well-constructed 27 runs. However, the left-hander was dismissed when Hardik Pandya's straight drive took a deflection off Peter Nqabayomzi's hand before rattling the stumps. Pandya, despite finding some late steam, struggled to find boundaries, highlighting India's overall difficulties on the night. The match ended with a resounding victory for South Africa, showcasing the dominance of their bowling attack and the fragility of the Indian batting line-up in the face of challenging conditions.