Since the end of the IPL to keep the people on the edges of their seats this series became a big treat to the cricket fans(T20 series).
What a series it has been. India vs South Africa Paytm T20 series was considered to be practice and a trial for the upcoming men’s T20 world cup in Australia.
Match 1 Arun Jaitley stadium- Delhi – T20 series
South Africa team with mixed players with young and experienced. Whereas on the other side team India with youngsters and few experienced players. South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Ruturaj and Ishan gave a good opening start. when Rutu fell to an experienced bowler who had a come back in the tournament Parnell. Whereas Ishan and Shreyas joined hands to develop Indian innings adding 80 runs for the second wicket.
Fireworks from the Indian batsman Ishan Kishan 76(48), Hardik 31(12), and Shreyas 36(27) made a big total on the board to chase for the opponent 211/4 at 20
Seems to be a difficult target to chase in the format but the dimensions of the ground played a huge factor. Especially 81/3 at 8.4 the game was found under the control of India. Yet killer Miller shows 61(34)* and Van der Dussain 75(46)* shocked Indian fans. South Africa won the match comfortably in 19.1 overs
This match gave no chance to the bowlers. Each and everyone is punished. Wherever the ball is bowled it was dispatched. South Africa led the series 1-0. David Miller is the Man of the match.
Match 2 Barabati Stadium, Cuttack – T20 series
South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first.
This time South Africa pace bowlers troubled Indian batsmen. Ishan 34(21), Shreyas 40(35), and Karthik 30(21)* bought team India to a decent total of 148/6 at 20 overs.(T20 series)
South African batsmen struggled against Bhuvi’s swing bowling making 29/3 at 5.3 overs. But, Klaasen 81(46), Miller 20(15)* won the match by 4 wickets at 18.2 overs. Bhuvi 4 overs 13 runs 4 wickets.
South Africa led the series 2-0.
Klaasen Man of the Match.
Match 3 Y.S.R ACA VDCA Stadium Visakhapatnam
South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first. Must win the match for team India to stay alive in the series.
Rutu 57(35), Ishan 54(35), and Hardik 31(21)* making 179/5 on the board. South Africa was found confident with the first two victories. But the Indian bowlers broke their confidence. Chahal 4 overs 20 runs 3 wickets, Harsal with the change of pace took 4 wickets in his spell.
India changed the equation of series by staying alive 2-1.
Chahal Man of the match.
Match 4 Rajkot – T20 series
South Africa won the toss and decided to bowl first. With few changes in the South Africa squad and no change in the Indian squad, they went face-off.
India struggled in the first 10 overs. Moreover, Hardik 46 and DK 55 firing knock made his first T20 fifty and took team India to 169 a fighting total. South Africa struggled against Avesh khan’s pace picking 4 wickets in 4 overs and conceding 18 runs. India won the match by 82 runs and leveled the series 2-2. DK man of the match.
Match 5 Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Decider 5 matches in a row India team losing the toss.
Due to rain, the match was reduced to 19 overs. 28-2 at 3.3 overs once again rain-interrupted. Yet heavy rain caused the match to call off
The series leveled 2-2
South Africa
This series taught lessons to both teams. South Africa struggled to chase 160+ targets except for the 1st T20 match. Moreover, the team is weak in their middle order hugely depending upon Miller. The pace bowling attack was good but they had to fire at the same time.
India
Here there is no special mention Hardik, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas and DK helped the team to level the series. Pant’s outside off-stump weakness in all 4 matches created doubt about his style of play(T20 series). Chahal and Harsal’s names stay in mind, the remaining had contributed yet not a big show.
Hope everything changes in the upcoming series.