South Africa delivered a stunning performance to defeat India by 51 runs in the 2nd T20I at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. The victory was set up by a blistering batting display led by Quinton de Kock and sealed by a disciplined bowling effort, leveling the five-match series at 1-1.
Chasing a mammoth target of 214, the Indian batting line-up crumbled under the pressure of the required run rate and sharp new-ball bowling, eventually being all-out for 162 in 19.1 overs.
South Africa win the 2nd T20I by 51 runs.#TeamIndia will aim to come back strongly in the 3rd T20I in Dharamshala.
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 11, 2025
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/japA2CIofo#INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/P2HOiMUPDo
De Kock's Carnage Sets Up Mammoth Total
After India won the toss and opted to bowl, a decision likely influenced by the expected dew, the South African batsmen punished the Indian bowlers, who struggled with line and length.
- Quinton de Kock rediscovered his explosive form, smashing a sensational 90 off just 46 balls, including 5 fours and 7 sixes, to anchor the innings.
- India's pacers, Jasprit Bumrah (0/45) and Arshdeep Singh (0/54), were expensive, with Arshdeep even bowling the longest over by an Indian in T20I history (13 balls, 7 wides).
- A late flourish from Donovan Ferreira (30 off 16)* and David Miller (20 off 12)* powered the Proteas to a formidable total of 213/4 in their 20 overs. Varun Chakaravarthy (2/29) was the pick of the Indian bowlers.
India’s Chase Falters Early
India's chase got off to a disastrous start, losing key wickets cheaply in the powerplay.
- The top order, including Shubman Gill (0), Abhishek Sharma (17), and captain Suryakumar Yadav (5), failed to get going, leaving India reeling at 25/3 inside four overs.
- Tilak Varma was the lone warrior, scoring a brave 62 off 34 balls to keep the slim hopes alive, but he lacked sustained support.
- South Africa's bowling attack was clinical, with pace bowler Ottneil Baartman (4/24) being the wrecker-in-chief, dismantling the middle and lower order, including the key wickets of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube.
- The disciplined attack ensured India was bowled out with five balls to spare, handing South Africa a commanding 51-run victory.
The series now moves to Dharamshala for the 3rd T20I, where India will look to bounce back from this heavy defeat.
