Picture : Twitter / BCCI
India bounced back superbly to beat South Africa by 82 runs at Rajkot in the fourth T20 International to level the series at 2-2 . Both teams teams now head for the decider in Bengaluru on June 19. The momentum now it seems has shifted India’s way.
Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and fielded first. India lost Rituraj Gaikwad early for ( 5 ) , Shreas Iyer for ( 4) and in- from Ishan Kishan for 27 . India were 40/ 3 in 6.1 overs. Skipper Rishabh Pant struggled with the bat again and his poor form continued a below par 17 off 23 balls . Pant was dismissed with India total at 81/ 4 in 12. 5 overs .
Indian were struggling at 81 for four before a 65-run stand between Hardik and Karthik brought the home team back into the game.
India were able to amass 73 runs in the last five overs. Dinesh Karthik in superb form once again showed why he is dangerous finisher . Karthik smashed a game changing 27 ball 55 with 9 fours and 2 sixes. Hardik Pandya too proving his mettle towards the end with his typical aggressive innings of 46 ( 31 balls, 3 fours , 3 sixes) . India after middle order slump reached a fighting 169/ 6 in their 20 overs.
For South Africa the bowling figures read : Marco Jansen 1/ 38 ( 4 overs), Lungi Ngidi 2/ 20 ( 3 overs), Dwaine Pretorius 1/ 41 ( 4 overs), Anrich Nortje 1/ 21 ( 3 overs), Tabraiz Shamsi 0/ 18 ( 2 overs) , Keshav Maharaj 1/ 29 ( 4 overs)
South Africa in reply lost wickets at regular intervals and did not get the momentum at all. . The batting let them down . Skipper Temba Bavuma while batting retired hurt ( 8). Seasoned Quinton De Kock fell for ( 11 ) run- out. Dwaine Pretorius ( 0). Rassie van der Dussen ( 20) , Heinrich Klaasen ( 8) , David Miller (9), Marco Jansen ( 12 ) . South Africa eventually finished at 87/ 9 in 16. 5 overs, India winning by whopping 82 runs.
Indian bowlers once again stood tall in back to back games . Avesh Khan was impressive with fine figures of 4/ 18 ( 4 overs), Yuzvendra Chahal 2/ 21 ( 4 overs) getting his rhythm back in two games , Axar Patel 1/ 19 ( 3.1 overs) , Harshal Patel 1/ 3 ( 2 overs) , Hardik Pandya 0/ 12 ( 1 over)
