South Africa secured a thrilling comeback win against India, powered by Tristan Stubbs' unbeaten 47 and Gerald Coetzee's explosive cameo. Despite Varun Chakravarthy's record-equaling five-wicket haul, South Africa leveled the series 1-1 in a low-scoring encounter.
Source : ESPNCricInfo |
Match Highlights
South Africa Chased 125 (Their 2nd Lowest Successful Run-Chase vs. India):
- India's Powerplay Struggle: Scored only 34/3, their joint third-lowest powerplay total against South Africa in T20Is.
- India's Total: Finished at 124/6, their joint 12th lowest T20I total and their worst score against South Africa at this venue.
- Key Partnership: Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh added 37* for the seventh wicket, the highest for India against South Africa in T20Is.
Key Performances:
India Batting:
- Hardik Pandya: Anchored the innings with an unbeaten 39 off 45 balls, including four boundaries and a six.
- Axar Patel: Contributed a quick 27 off 21 balls with four boundaries.
- Tilak Varma: Scored a measured 20 from 20 balls.
South Africa Bowling:
- Wickets Shared: Aiden Markram, Andile Simelane, Nqabayomzi Peter, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee each claimed a wicket.
South Africa Batting:
- Top Scorer: Tristan Stubbs remained unbeaten with 47 off 41 balls, hitting seven boundaries and leading the chase.
- Supporting Knock: Reeza Hendricks added 24 off 21 balls, including three fours and a six.
- Crucial Finish: Gerald Coetzee's 19* off nine balls, with two fours and a six, sealed the win with a strike rate of 211.11.
India Bowling:
- Star Performer: Varun Chakravarthy picked up a career-best 5/17, becoming the fifth Indian to claim a five-wicket haul in T20Is.
- Support: Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh chipped in with a wicket each.
Match Stats & Records:
- India's Lowest Total at Gqeberha: 124 is the lowest T20I total in a full 20-over match at this venue.
- Varun Chakravarthy's 5/17:
- Joint fourth-best figures for India in T20Is.
- Equal best by an Indian against South Africa, matching Kuldeep Yadav's 5/17 at Johannesburg in 2023.
- India’s Winning Streak Ends: India’s 11-match winning streak, extending back to July 2024, ended with this loss.
Player of the Match:
Tristan Stubbs was awarded for his unbeaten 47 off 41 balls, steering South Africa to a series-leveling victory.
Series Update:
- Status: Tied 1-1 with two matches remaining.