IND VS SA 2ND T20I

Well then, that is it from this immersive second T20I where South Africa beat India in a low-scoring thriller. Two played and two more to go. Now, with the series deadlocked at 1-1, the action shifts to the iconic SuperSport Park of Centurion. The third T20I will be played on Wednesday, November 13 and the first ball will be bowled at 3 pm GMT. Till then, cheers and take care!

The captain of South Africa, Aiden Markram says that the bowlers bowled really well and executed the plans nicely. Mentions that their plan was to break the chase at the halfway mark but it did not come off for them. Further says that when it does not come off, they need to take it on the chin but it is important that they stick to their brand of cricket. Shares that younger guys in the side inspire the older guys. Feels that they need to take one game at a time.

The skipper of India, Suryakumar Yadav says that you always have to back whatever the total you have on the board. Says that in a T20I game, you never want to put 120s or 130s on the board and then go onto the ground defending that. But also says that he feels proud of the way they fought with the ball. Appreciates Varun Chakaravarthy and tells that someone getting a 5-fer while defending 124 is just incredible. Also mentions that Varun has been waiting for this for a long time and has worked really hard on his bowling skills. Concludes by saying that two games to go with a lot of entertainment left and that going to Centurion with 1-1 is going to be a lot of fun.

Tristan Stubbs is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock. He says that the run rate never got away and he always had the belief that they could do it. Shares that even if the situation was 30 runs in 3 overs, he felt that it was gettable. Shares that Gerald Coetzee also had the belief and he took the pressure off him. Mentions that they were always a couple of hits away from bringing the situation back to run-a-ball. Adds that he tried to control his breathing to ease the nerves. States that it is his mother's birthday so there were 20-30 people who came to watch him play. Ends by saying that this is his favourite place to play cricket

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

Earlier in the game, South Africa's pacers came out swinging and looked threatening. Jansen and Coetzee struck like lightning, removing India's openers in back-to-back first two overs. SKY's early exit only deepened India's wounds in a brutal Powerplay. While the seamers dominated, Proteas' spinners turned the screws, choking any chance of partnerships. Axar and Tilak managed to scratch past 20, while the rest of India's lineup crumbled under relentless pressure. Add in South Africa's electric fielding along with the dot balls, and it was a perfect storm of dominance. Hardik Pandya though took the matters in his hands and contributed 39 but took 45 balls. South Africa closed up well and conceded just 9 off the last two overs and cherry on the top, bowled 62 dot balls.

However, in these tight, low-scoring battles, the game can pivot on the smallest of margins - a crucial partnership, a couple of big overs, or even a gutsy solo stand. It was Tristan Stubbs who emerged as South Africa's saviour, standing firm and attempting to navigate his team through troubled waters. He also got an able support from Coetzee who struck a couple of lusty boundaries in the backend. The two added 42 valuable runs off just 20 deliveries and bailed South Africa out of huge trouble. With the spin making the batters dance to its tune, India could have utilized more of Axar Patel who bowled only a solitary over in which he gave away 2 runs. Also, South Africa played less number of dot balls as compared to their opponents - 51 vs 62 to be exact.

The tricky pitch, offering unpredictable bounce, kept batters guessing and scoring in check. The game-changing moment arrived through Varun Chakaravarthy's masterclass - his lethal spell ripping through South Africa's middle order. His five-wicket haul proved decisive, swinging the momentum firmly in India's favor as the Proteas struggled to counter his wrong'uns. As a result, South Africa were reduced from a comfortable 64/3 to a dangerous 86/7.

India began their defence almost mirroring their opponents and kept things on a leash. Arshdeep and Avesh maintained tight lines and lengths to keep the batters quiet for the most part. Despite getting hit for a few boundaries, Arshdeep struck gold in the Powerplay, and Varun Chakravarthy made an instant impact, sending a struggling Markram back to the pavilion. Both teams faced early jitters as the Powerplay ended in a deadlock - South Africa at 34/2 slightly edging India's 34/3 at the same stage.

A proper Sunday blockbuster entertainer here at St George's Park, Gqeberha! It was a low-scoring game but had both sides bite the skin of their lips at times. The momentum constantly tilted back and forth but it were the hosts who eventually had the last laugh. India might feel they made the Proteas to huff and puff to chase the paltry total. But it was the batting masterclass from Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee towards the backend that saw the hosts cross the line.

FOUR! Two in two from Stubbs to take South Africa over the line! He is all pumped as he punches the air in delight and exchanges a hug with Gerald Coetzee. Arshdeep takes the pace off and goes into the wicket, on middle, Tristan Stubbs rises with the bounce and picks the change of pace. Waits for the ball to arrive and nails the pull through square leg for a boundary. South Africa win by 3 wickets with an over to spare and level the series 1-1!

FOUR! Bludgeoned! Arshdeep hurls it on a short of a length, on off, Tristan Stubbs stands upright and flat bats it hard and to the left of mid on for the third boundary of the over. Scores are level now!

Fuller in length, on off, Tristan Stubbs firms the drive but picks out the man at cover. Missed out there did Stubbs!

A mix-up but no harm done! This is on a short of a length, on off, Tristan Stubbs taps it off the back foot in front of backward point. Gerald Coetzee sets off for the single but gets sent back halfway through the run. Arshdeep Singh is away from the stumps at the bowling end. The throw comes on the bounce to Arshdeep who collects but by then, Coetzee puts the dive in and gets back.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries and that should do it for South Africa! Angled across the batter, on a nagging length, Tristan Stubbs throws his hands at the delivery and flays it between short third and backward point for four more runs. Just 5 needed now from 10.

FOUR! Short and punished! Arshdeep bowls it on a back of a length, on middle, Tristan Stubbs stands tall and dispatches pull up and over mid-wicket. There is no one in the deep and it races away for a boundary.

Who bowls the penultimate over? It will be Arshdeep Singh to continue.