De Kock shines as South Africa beat India by 51 runs in Chandigarh T20I

Published

6 months ago

December 11, 2025

South Africa beat India by 51 runs in the second T20 International on Thursday after Quinton de Kock’s quick-fire innings helped the visitors to set up a huge target and Ottneil Baartman got four wickets to hand India their largest defeat by runs at home in the shortest format.

De Kock, who opened the innings alongside Reeza Hendricks, scored 90 runs off 46 balls, his highest score against India in the format, helping his side to post a huge total of 213-4 in 20 overs in Chandigarh.

In response, Tilak Varma, who walked in at 32-3, struck a 27-ball fifty, but the left-handed batter was unable to take his side over the line.

“When I do get going, I try and make it count,” De Kock said after he was named player of the match.

“The wicket was slow up front. Any new batter would find it harder.”

EXPLOSIVE START

After being asked to bat, South Africa’s openers scored 38 runs in the first four overs, before leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy broke the partnership with a quick googly, knocking down Hendricks’s stumps.

De Kock continued the onslaught, scoring fifty in 26 balls with a flick off Hardik Pandya through midwicket for a four. An under-pressure Arshdeep Singh gave away seven wides in an over as South Africa built up momentum with an 83-run partnership between De Kock and Aiden Markram.

De Kock, who struck five fours and seven sixes, missed out on his century after a smart run out by wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma ended his stay.

David Miller and Donovan Ferreira continued the fireworks in the death overs and, with India restricted to four fielders in deep in the final over as a penalty for maintaining a slow over-rate, the duo smashed Jasprit Bumrah for 18 runs to set a target of 214.

INDIA TOP ORDER COLLAPSE

In the chase, India lost Shubman Gill for a golden duck, while Marco Jansen got rid of Abhishek Sharma and India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, before Baartman broke the 35-run stand between Axar Patel and Varma.

The Proteas kept danger man Hardik Pandya contained by not allowing him much room to play his shots and, with the required rate climbing, the all-rounder gave away an easy catch in the deep to Brevis.

Varma’s 34-ball 62 was not enough to turn the tide as Baartman picked up three more wickets in the 19th over, and his resistance was ended by pacer Lungi Ngidi as South Africa bowled out India for 162 in 19.1 overs to level the series 1-1.

Related Topics:India Quinton de Kock South Africa

Up Next

India back Suryakumar and Gill to regain mojo before T20 World Cup

Don't Miss

Gambhir lashes out for advocating “split coaching” after ODI series win over SA

India set for bumper New Zealand tour featuring 10 white-ball matches and Two Tests

Published

6 days ago

June 3, 2026

Staff Reporter

India will undertake the biggest-ever international cricket tour of New Zealand later this year, playing two tests, five one-day internationals and five Twenty20 matches against the Black Caps.

India will open the tour with the T20s in late October and early November quickly followed by the ODI series.

The first test takes place at Wellington’s Basin Reserve from November 19 to 23. The second test will be at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval from November 27 to December 1.

“When it comes to cricket – it simply doesn’t get bigger than India and we’re determined to deliver New Zealanders a tour like no other,” said New Zealand Cricket’s Glenn Critchley. “We’re expecting all of these games to sell out.”

After travelling to play four tests in Australia around the New Year, New Zealand will also host Sri Lanka in three ODIs, three T20s, and two tests in January and February, 2027.

The White Ferns women’s team will host Bangladesh for three T20s and three ODIs in December.

No RCB victory parade in Bengaluru as fans celebrate title win indoors

Published

1 week ago

June 1, 2026

Staff Reporter

The passionate fans will not be able to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title defence with the team after the franchise decided against holding a victory parade in the city in order to avoid the crowd frenzy, which led to last year’s deadly stampede.

Virat Kohli once again delivered on the biggest stage as Royal Challengers Bengaluru defended their IPL title with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, extending his remarkable run of consistency in a format increasingly dominated by ultra-aggressive batting.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s second IPL title win came on Rajat Patidar’s 33rd birthday but more than that happy coincidence the skipper was pleased with his team’s start-to-end domination in the league.

The RCB took such a decision also keeping in mind the swearing-in ceremony of newly-appointed Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Rishabh Pant quits LSG captaincy after IPL 2026 debacle

Published

1 week ago

May 29, 2026

Staff Reporter

Rishabh Pant has stepped down as Lucknow Super Giants captain following the IPL 2026 season. During his two-year stint, LSG failed to secure a playoff berth, managing only 10 wins under his leadership. The franchise finished seventh last season and ended this year at the bottom of the table. He was bought for INR 27 crore and was immediately handed the captaincy baton, but absolutely nothing worked well for the franchise since then.

“Lucknow Super Giants wish to formally announce that Rishabh Pant has requested to be relieved from his captaincy duties with the franchise, and the franchise has accepted the request with immediate effect,” LSG’s statement read.