Highlights, India vs South Africa, 2nd T20I at Mohali, Full Cricket Score: Kohli, Iyer guide hosts to seven-wicket win

Most Man of the Match awards in T20Is:

12 – Mohammad Nabi
11 – VIRAT KOHLI*
11 – Shahid Afridi

South Africa missed a trick by holding back Rabada for the final over. Should have bowled the 17th and 19th over. Not a very impressive tactic form the first-time skipper de Kock. 

Overall, it has been a thoroughly professional performance by India. They dominated the match throughout and finished with an over to spare. And yet another unbeaten innings for Virat in a successful run-chase.

Virat Kohli is the Man of the Match! 

Kohli: Thank you, you reminded me of the best T20I game (IND vs AUS, 2016 WT20) of my career! Today was slightly different, and a slightly better pitch, so you could get more value for your shots. Lot of character. They got off to a good start. To pull things back from that shows a lot of character. We’re looking to try new people, see who stands up in crunch situations. Lots of positives for us.

(What inspires his consistency?) The badge in front of my shirt. It’s the pride of playing for one’s country. If you want to make your team win, you will find a way to perform. Get the team across the line anyhow. Test cricket, one-day cricket, the will should be to win for your country.

Quinton de Kock, SA captain: I think we got off to a great start. They bowled pretty well towards the end. They assessed and understood the conditions much quicker than we did. There’s a lot of pressure for some of the new guys coming in and I thought they played really well. Obviously we didn’t get a winning start but I thought they held their nerve very well.  Bowled really well against the world class batting line up for India. Unfortunately when there was pace on the ball it looked like it was easier to bat on, so it was about taking the pace off. Since I am coming back from time off and getting ready for the new cricketing season I was nice and refreshed and quite hungry to get out there.

Shikhar Dhawan: Good start for all of us. I was timing the ball really well and enjoying my batting. Look forward to score more runs. We practice a lot in the nets at that pace and we’re used to it, and can counter it (as a result). (On Miller’s catch) It was an unbelievable catch, and I’m sure Virat must be thinking the same. Have to really appreciate it. I hit it hard. he took a tremendous catch. I took it in my stride.

India win second T20I by seven wickets to beat South Africa for the first time in India. Shreyas Iyer with a boundary to clinch the win for India. The hosts lead the three-match series 1-0.

Iyer is down the wicket and burries the ball straight to long on fence. He struck this all along the ground, taking no real risks and ensuring he remains unbeaten to see India home.

SIX! Kohli jumps down the pitch and he has the spin covered and clobbers it over long on for another maximum. India one-hit away.

After 18 overs,India 138/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 64 , Shreyas Iyer 11)

Kohli begins the over with a wonderful six over backward square leg and even though Rabada is able to give just a single off the next five balls, India need run-a-ball to register a win.

SIX! Geez! What.A.Shot!! Rabada slants a delivery on Kohli’s legs and that has been flicked with a nonchalant flick. This a phenomenal shot to say the least. High, high quality hit. Shot of the day!

Highest T20I run-getter! 

Virat Kohli is now the highest run-getter in T20Is, going past Rohit Sharma’s 2,434 runs.

After 17 overs,India 131/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 57 , Shreyas Iyer 11)

Kohli with a couple of boundaries as India are now closing in on what looks a certain victory. The Indian captain is at the forfront of it as he raises his 22nd T20I half-century. Phehlukwayo’s over costs 11 runs and India now need just 19 off 18 balls.

FIFTY! Kohli brings up his fifty with a boundary through covers. Superb timing on that one. Kohli comes down the track and knocks it wide of the fielder no chance for him to get around.

Did you know?

Virat Kohli has now 22 fifty-plus scores in T20Is – the most by any player, going past Rohit Sharma (21).

When you are not in form, nothing goes in your way. This is exactly what is happening with Rishabh Pant. Having been criticised for recklessness in the recent past, Pant wanted to prove a point tonight. Played his initial few balls cautiously. But just when he got that rank long hop, he wanted to take full advantage of that, which is very much justifiable. But unfortunately, he hit it straight to the fielder.

After 16 overs,India 120/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 47 , Shreyas Iyer 10)

Fortuin slips in a very tidy over given the stage of the game. Just five singles from this over. India now need 30 runs off 24 balls. Kohli inching towards his fifty

After 15 overs,India 115/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 44 , Shreyas Iyer 8)

Iyer provides a much-needed boundary for India, just when the Proteas were trying to increase the gap between the runs required and balls left but Nortje’s over has helped them with 10 runs. India need 35 runs off 30 balls now.

FOUR! Iyer intentionally opens the face of the bat late, but probably gets it finer than where he was targetting, goes just past the diving De Kock and into the third man boundary

After 14 overs,India 105/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 41 , Shreyas Iyer 1)

Another day and anothed wasted opportunity for Rishabh Pant. Fortuin picks his first wicket of a ball which is surely not going to fetch him many.

OUT! And once again Rishabh Pant has thrown it away. Cameraman pans straightaway to the dressing room with the new batting coach, Vikram Rathour, and head coach Ravi Shastri in focus. They won’t be pleased. It was a nothing delivery from Fortuin, who drops it halfway down the track and Pant swivels to pull it over fine leg but doesn’t time it at all. Poor execution. First wicket for Fortuin.

Pant c Shamsi b Fortuin 4(5)

Rishabh Pant’s SR in T20Is:

Batting first : 95.18
Chasing : 138.41

That catch was just unbelievable. Miller first made some ground and then just threw himself to the line of the ball to take that one-handed blinder. 

However, Pant has come out to bat at No 4. It will be interesting to see his approach tonight following the recent criticism from the head-coach. The youngster will be desperate to stay at the crease till the end of this game.

After 13 overs,India 101/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 40 , Rishabh Pant (W) 2)
 

Anrich Nortje returns to the bowling crease after his solitary over that went for 13 runs. Much better second over for the fast bowler allowing only five runs from the over, but the Proteas had a chance had Bavuma hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end as Pant hurries for a single. India go past the 100-run mark, need 49 in 42 balls.

After 12 overs,India 96/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 37 , Rishabh Pant (W) 1)

Kohli flicks onto the onside for what was heading towards the boundary before Bavuma makes a diving intervention to keep it down to three, if his fielding effort was valiant, Miller’s catch was very close to realms of fables and fantasies. Dhawan’s departure brings Rishabh Pant in the middle with a lot of expectations riding on him. A gift of a full toss from Shamsi to help the wicket-keeper batsman to bunt it down to long on for a single to get off the mark. Seven runs from the over. India need 54 runs in 48 balls.

OUT! My word! David Miller has plucked out an outrageous catch at long on. Absolutely sensational stuff this! Dhawan shimmies down the wicket and perhaps gets a little too close to the pitch of the ball as he doesn’t get the elevation right, but still his shot packed a punch. It was fiercely hit down the ground and Miller flies parallel to the ground while pulling off a blinder. Kohli is surpised as much as anyone who has witnessed it, and all Dhawan can do is smile as he heads towards the dressing room.

Dhawan c Miller b Shamsi 40(31)

After 11 overs,India 89/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 39 , Virat Kohli (C) 32)

First look of Bjorn Fortuin. In what was turning out to be a rather good first over in T20Is for Fortuin is ruined by a six off the last ball by a helmet-less Shikhar Dhawan. Ten runs from the over.

Not much is happening for the South African bowlers at this point. Both Virat and Shikhar are running away with the game. 

Meanwhile for Shikhar, who has been out of form of late, these two T20Is on batting friendly wickets, will be a perfect platform to have some runs under his belt and get his confidence back. Going into the next World T20, India will be playing a lot of white-ball cricket and Shikhar is an important part of this set-up.

Most 30-plus scores in T20Is:

33 – Martin Guptill
32 – VIRAT KOHLI*
31 – JP Duminy

SIX! After a couple of sighters, Dhawan goes for the big one and connects it sweetly. He was always going to take on the left-arm spinner. He is down on his knee and drags the ball from outside off over cow corner with a slog sweep for a six.

After 10 overs,India 79/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 31 , Virat Kohli (C) 30)

Shamsi continuing. He is only bowler to successfully not leak a boundary after bowling couple of overs, the Proteas do have another spinner in their ranks in Bjorn Fortuin but he is playing his first match, we might see him soon. Six singles and a wide from the over as India reach the halfway mark. With nine wickets in hand they need 71 runs off the final 10, should be an easy chase.

After 9 overs,India 72/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 28 , Virat Kohli (C) 27)

Just when South Africa got couple of good overs in and were trying to pull things back, the Indians have taken 15 runs from Pretorius’ over to ensure their control doesn’t slip away. Kohli with a six to begin the over and then Dhawan with a boundary down the ground.

FOUR! Super shot! Full delivery on middle and leg stump and the southpaw has lifted it straight over the bowler’s head. Couple of bounces and over the fence

SIX! Virat Kohli on the prowl! Advances down the pitch, converts a good length ball outside off into a half volley and hits it over the top. The ball goes over the fence for the first six from Kohli’s bat.

After 8 overs,India 57/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 23 , Virat Kohli (C) 17)

Spin for the first time in the innings. Tabraiz Shamsi, the left-arm wrist-spinner is into the attack. Very tidy start from him, just five runs from the over. Clearly the more pace you provide the more easy it is for batsmen to score runs is what one can deduce from how things have progressed so far. Dhawan and Kohli recognise that and knock the ball around for singles.

After 7 overs,India 52/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 21 , Virat Kohli (C) 14)

In what was looking a rather quiet over, could have been really bad one for India had bowler Pretorius hit the stumps from what looked like few yards to run out Shikhar Dhawan, who responded for a quick single after the ball rolled on to the leg side of the pitch. Lucky escape for Dhawan, India go past the 50-run mark in the over as well.

After 6 overs,India 47/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 19 , Virat Kohli (C) 12)

A lovely cover drive from Kohli to start the over but there is more action as SA review for a caught behind against Kohli. The Indian captain was cut in halves with a ball that just jagged back a touch, there is clear evidence of no bat involved but the ball had brushed the back pad and hence they had to check for the leg before as well, which turned out to be too close for comfort in the end as the ball tracking showed that the ball would have clipped the bails and Kohli survives on umpire’s call. Phehlukwayo continues to create a lot of problems with the ball.

FOUR! All class from VK! Not too full a delivery, but Kohli is on the front foot, providing the full face of the bat and caresses his drive it on the up. Finds the narrow gap through the off side and there is no stopping that. Pristine timing on that punch.

After 5 overs,India 41/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 19 , Virat Kohli (C) 7)

Another bowling change: Dwaine Pretorius comes into the attack. Dhawan is off the strike with a single before Kohli picks up a couple and then whips one for a boundary. A single of the penultimate ball to garner eight runs from the over.

FOUR! Dwaine Pretorius bowls it on Kohli’s pads and the Indian captain has played a delightful glance through mid wicket for a boundary. Super stroke.

So, the change of length has worked for South Africa. Rohit was taking the game away from them. Well now, just brace yourself for the much-awaited Rabada vs Kohli contest for the first time in this season.

Recently in the Ashes, we had experienced some epic battle between Smith and Archer. Let’s hope this Virat-Rabada rivalry will also live upto the expectations.

After 4 overs,India 33/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 18 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

The ploy to take pace off the ball worked really well for the Indian bowlers, especially towards the end of South Africa’s innings and here now, De Kock bringing in Andile Phehlukwayo has provided immediate result. Norjte was bowling close to 150 clicks, Phehlukwayo bowls around 130. Rohit Sharma misses out after two big sixes and new man Virat Kohli has a streaky first ball, who gets a leading edge on the off side but short of the fielder.

OUT! Andile Phehlukwayo is brought into the attack and the move has paid off immediately. Full and straight delivery and Rohit Sharma with a little shuffle across, trying to flick it towards square leg, misses it, he was hit right in front and doesn’t even bother to consult his partner for a review after the on-field umpire had raise his finger. First wicket for South Africa

Rohit lbw b Phehlukwayo 12(12)

Against Rohit, the back of a length ploy won’t work here. The square boundaries are big here at Mohali and perhaps that’s why the South African pacers bowled that length to him. But for a batsman of Rohit’s class, it’s a bread and butter stuff.

After 3 overs,India 30/0 ( Rohit Sharma 12 , Shikhar Dhawan 15)
 

Blistering start from the Indian openers at Mohali. Rabada did well to keep it down to nine runs considering the first two balls of the over went to the boundary. India flying at 10 runs an over.

FOUR! Angled across Dhawan from Rabada and he once again looks to slice the ball through point but gets a bottom edge through the vacant slip region. Consecutive boundary for India as the ball runs down to third man fence.

FOUR! Quick hands from Dhawan. Little width, outside off and he has blast this on the up through extra cover as the ball hurries to the fence.

After 2 overs,India 21/0 ( Rohit Sharma 12 , Shikhar Dhawan 6)

Anrich Nortje comes on to bowl his first over. His speeds near the 150 kmph mark but the ball has flown at the rate even speed guns cannot record. Rohit Sharma with couple of majestic pulls for two spectacular sixes! India on top.

SIX! And again! Oh Rohit Sharma! He’s making batting look ridiculously easy here. Once again short of a length, around off stump and Rohit unleashes the pull again, this time sending the ball over backward square leg for another maximum.

SIX! Gorgeous! Anrich Nortje drops it short and that is right up Rohit Sharma’s alley. A little step across the line and he plays the trademark pull with sublime timing to send the ball flying over deep mid wicket

After 1 overs,India 8/0 ( Rohit Sharma 0 , Shikhar Dhawan 5)
 

Rabada just struggling to get his line right as he begins with a wide down the leg side. He slants another pacy delivery into Rohit’s pads followed by what can be passed as half shout. He slants another delivery down the leg side and De Kock’s dive is able to keep down the damage to two. Dhawan is the mark with a boundary to deep point. Eight runs off the first over.

FOUR! Just a little bit of width on offer and Dhawan is onto it in a flash, rocks back and cuts it hard into the ground, past the point fielder and even though the third man does get around the ball, he isn’t able to release the ball before he comes in contact with the boundary cushions. Boundary is confirmed after the on-field Umpire takes help from the one who has the previlege of television replays. Boundary off the first ball for Dhawan

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan stride out to the middle. South Africa have managed 149 for 5 in their first innings, so chasing 7.50 runs an over will be a daunting challenge but it can quickly change if Kagiso Rabada has a big day out. He is ready with the ball in his hand. One slip in place.

Despite that expensive last over, it has been a brilliant comeback for India after South Africa scored 78 runs in the first 10 overs for the loss of just one wicket. The Indian pacers have been spot on with their variations in the death overs. The phase when India removed de Kock and van der Dussen in quick successions, was the turning point of this innings. 

Nevertheless, under these conditions, 150 should not bother this Indian batting line-up. However, a lot will depend on how the Protea pacers start with the new ball.

After 20 overs,South Africa 149/5 ( Dwaine Pretorius 10 , Andile Phehlukwayo 8)

Kohli leaves the field for the final over, with Rohit taking over captaincy duties for the time being. Phehlukwayo nearly smashes the ball out of the park in a monster six off the third delivery. Pretorius too joins the party, smashing an off-cutter into the stands beyond long on off the last delivery as the pacer concedes 16 off the final over.  

South Africa finish on a score of 149/5 after being put in to bat by Kohli, one that the Proteas will feel is under-par at a venue where the average first innings score is 185.

SIX! Pretorius ends the innings with a bang, smashing the ball into the stands beyond the long on fence as Saini’s smashed for 16 runs off the last over of the innings!

SA finish on 149/5 at the end of their innings!

SIX! Monster hit from Phehlukwayo, shuffling forward and smashing this from the middle of the bat, resulting in a 100m hit! Nearly goes out of the stadium! SA 140/5

After 19 overs,South Africa 133/5 ( Dwaine Pretorius 2 , Andile Phehlukwayo 1)

Miller’s gone first ball into the 19th over, missing a slower ball from Pandya while going for a wild heave towards midwicket, leaving two new faces at the crease. Both Phehlukwayo and Pretorius are restricted to singles off the remaining deliveries, with four runs being added to the South African total in this over. Pandya makes amends for an expensive opening spell with a lovely comeback.

OUT! Miller misses a cutter from Hardik, and has to walk back to the crease after hearing the dreaded sound of leather hitting timber. The Proteas are starting to ~choke~ crumble in the slog overs. SA 129/5

Miller b Pandya 18(15)

Yesterday, Deepak Chahar was working on his knuckle ball with Hardik during India’s net session. And tonight, that particular delivery has fetched him a breakthrough.

After 18 overs,South Africa 129/4 ( David Miller 18 , Dwaine Pretorius 1)

Chahar brought back into the attack, and he gets rid of the set batsman in Bavuma, who falls just one short of his half-century on debut. Out walks Dwaine Pretorius to the crease. Excellent over by Chahar, putting in the clever variations in pace to keep the batsmen on the backfoot. Three runs and a wicket from the 18th.

India’s record while chasing in T20Is since 2014 is 79%. Will South Africa be able to go past 150 today?

OUT! Bavuma misses out on a fifty on debut, mishitting the ball straight to Jadeja at long on, offering the easiest of catches. Bavuma was foxed by the knuckle ball this time. SA 126/4

Bavuma c Jadeja b Chahar 49(43)

After 17 overs,South Africa 126/3 ( Temba Bavuma 49 , David Miller 16)

Miller sets off for a single off the first ball. Pressure starts to mount on Bavuma as he fails to score off the next three deliveries, including off an attempted lap shot. Jadeja’s agility at deep extra cover restricts the right-hander to a brace off the penultimate delivery off a well-timed drive. Leg bye off the last delivery. Four off an excellent over from the Delhi pacer.

After 16 overs,South Africa 122/3 ( Temba Bavuma 47 , David Miller 15)

Kohli brings offie Sundar back into play as the South African innings goes into the slog overs now. Single off each of the first three balls. Miller clips the ball towards midwicket off the fourth delivery, coming back for a second run. Miller then smashes the ball over long off off the penultimate delivery to collect the second six of the innings. 12 off the over.

SIX! Smashed over long off by ‘Killer’ Miller off Sundar, collecting his first six of the innings! And that’s a warning sign from one of the most destructive batsmen in the world right now. SA 122/3

After 15 overs,South Africa 110/3 ( Temba Bavuma 45 , David Miller 5)

Kohli entrusts Pandya with another over despite his figures of 0/24 from his first two overs. Starts off with a stifled appeal for lbw against Bavuma, who is slowly inching towards a half-century now. Single off each of each of the remaining deliveries of the over. Much better from the all-rounder.

In this inexperienced bowling attack, it seems Saini is Virat’s go to option, whenever he needs a breakthrough. We had seen this on quite a few occasions in West Indies. Meanwhile for South Africa, following their excellent beginning, De Kock and Rassie van der Dussen’s wickets in quick successions have pegged them back. Though, their new man at the crease, Miller, has a terrific record at this ground for Kings XI Punjab. Tonight the visitors will depend heavily on him to provide this innings the necessary push in the final overs.

After 14 overs,South Africa 105/3 ( Temba Bavuma 42 , David Miller 3)

Krunal brought into the attack in place of Saini. Some tense running between the wickets by Miller and Bavuma in this over, the latter nearly getting himself run out while attempting a quick single off the second delivery; would’ve been a goner had Jadeja been a bit more accurate in his rocket throw towards the non-striker’s. Seven off the over.

David Miller has scored 730 runs at Mohali in T20 cricket at an average of 45.62 which is the second most for him at a venue in T20 cricket.

After 13 overs,South Africa 98/3 ( Temba Bavuma 36 , David Miller 2)

Jadeja takes a fine catch off his own bowling after a leading edge by van der Dussen as South Africa lose two quick wickets. Bavuma drives the ball anxiously close to Kohli at cover off the third delivery, collecting his third boundary in the end. Eight runs and a wicket from the over.

India have raised their fielding to pick two quick wickets

Great catch by @imjadeja too. Amazing how much India’s fielding has improved in the last decade! Reflected in results and ranking across formats

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 18, 2019

FOUR! Bavuma drives this hard towards cover, the ball traveling anxiously close to Kohli stationed there, although beating the sweeper comfortably near the boundary. SA 95/3

OUT! A couple of quick wickets for the Indians, and suddenly they are in control of the proceedings. Van der Dussen looks to chip this down the ground, but Jadeja times his jump perfectly at the non-striker’s end to take a fine return catch. SA 90/3

Van der Dussen c and b Jadeja 1(2)

After 12 overs,South Africa 90/2 ( Temba Bavuma 30 , Rassie van der Dussen 1)

Superb over from Saini, who replaces Pandya in the attack, conceding just three runs while getting rid of the dangerous de Kock, who falls shortly after bringing up his half-century, thanks to a one-handed screamer by Kohli near mid on.

Rassie van der Dussen’s last four T20I innings:

64, 34, 41, 45

Players scoring fifty-plus runs in their maiden T20I innings for South Africa as a captain:

Graeme Smith
David Miller
Quinton de Kock*

OUT! Outstanding catch by Virat Kohli to dismiss his South African counterpart, who was threatening to take the game away from the Indians for good! De Kock chips this over the umpire, with Kohli running to his left from mid on, having to leap forward to complete a one-handed screamer. SA 88/2

De Kock c Kohli b Saini 52(37)

After 11 overs,South Africa 87/1 ( Quinton de Kock (C) (W) 52 , Temba Bavuma 28)

Another good over for the South Africans, with nine coming off it, including a boundary to de Kock off the fourth delivery that brings up the SA skipper’s third T20I fifty. Partnership’s also flourishing, worth 56 at the end of the over.

FOUR! Fitting way for Quinton de Kock to bring up his half-century, smacking the ball towards deep square-leg, where the ball lands just short of Saini before going over the boundary rope. SA 85/1

Fifty partnership up between De Kock and Bavuma for the second wicket, coming off just 40 deliveries. Bavuma collects a single off the third delivery of the 11th over to bring up the milestone. SA 81/1

No sign of dew so far. Can’t spot an Indian fielder carrying a towel. Ideal time for someone like Jadeja to bowl his left-arm spin. Though, not much of purchase is expected for the finger spinners from this pitch. And India don’t have a wrist-spinner in their XI tonight.

After 10 overs,South Africa 78/1 ( Quinton de Kock (C) (W) 46 , Temba Bavuma 25)

Three collected off the second delivery of the over, thanks to Bavuma enthusiastic running and an overthrow. Bavuma then collects back-to-back boundaries off the fourth and fifth deliveries, before retaining the strike with a single off the last delivery. 14 off Pandya’s second. The Proteas reach 78/1 at the halfway stage.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Bavuma, and Pandya wears a look of despair on his face after that shot. SA 77/1

FOUR! Carved behind point by Bavuma, who’s off to an impressive start on his T20I debut today! SA 73/1

After 9 overs,South Africa 64/1 ( Quinton de Kock (C) (W) 44 , Temba Bavuma 13)

Nine off Jadeja’s second, including a boundary to de Kock off the penultimate delivery off a flatter delivery from the left-arm spinner. De Kock had attempted a switch-hit earlier in the over, missing it completely and getting hit on the pad, eliciting a lbw appeal that’s turned down quickly enough.

Ravindra Jadeja economy rate in T20Is:

Home : 6.30
Away : 7.91
Neutral : 7.16

FOUR! Flatter delivery from Jadeja, de Kock gets down on one knee and guides it behind square leg to collect his seventh boundary. SA 59/1

After 8 overs,South Africa 55/1 ( Quinton de Kock (C) (W) 38 , Temba Bavuma 11)

Change from both ends now, with Pandya replacing Chahar. De Kock and Bavuma continue to rotate the strike, with a single off each of the first four deliveries, before Bavuma pulls a back-of-length delivery from Pandya to clear the midwicket fence for the first six of the innings.

SIX! First big hit of the innings as well as for Bavuma in T20Is! Pulled away towards the midwicket fence in style, bringing up the fifty for the Proteas. SA 55/1

The average first innings score in T20Is at Mohali is 184.

It is interesting to notice how the current South African set-up is backing Temba Bavuma in the shortest format of the game. For the major part of his playing career so far, he has been branded as a red-ball specialist. But his recent heroics in domestic T20 championship, which includes a Man of the Match performance in the final, has now pushed him in the scheme of things for the World T20.

After 7 overs,South Africa 45/1 ( Quinton de Kock (C) (W) 36 , Temba Bavuma 3)

Jadeja brought into the attack now, with a single coming off each delivery of the over as de Kock and Bavuma look to rotate the strike between themselves.

After 6 overs,South Africa 39/1 ( Quinton de Kock (C) (W) 33 , Temba Bavuma 0)

De Kock has his heart in his mouth for a few seconds after mishitting a back-of-length ball off the first delivery in the direction of Kohli at mid on, the ball eventually landing out of his Indian counterpart’s reach. Collects another boundary for himself two deliveries later, smacking a full delivery outside off past cover. Seven off the over. South Africa collect 39 from the powerplay, losing a solitary wicket along the way.

FOUR! Boundary number six for Quinton de Kock, and this one’s as easy it can get — full delivery outside off, the batsman stretching his arm and smacking it through cover. SA 38/1

After 5 overs,South Africa 32/1 ( Quinton de Kock (C) (W) 26 , Temba Bavuma 0)

Sundar brought back in the fifth over, and the offie keeps De Kock guessing as the SA skipper looks to hammer the ball around. His disciplined approach in this over results in just one run coming off it.

Finally, a sigh of relief for India. However, for me, despite the wicket, if has been a good start in the powerplay for South Africa. Their batsmen have enjoyed the pace of this Mohali pitch. The ball is coming on to the bat nicely and De Kock has timed it beautifully thus far.

After 4 overs,South Africa 31/1 ( Quinton de Kock (C) (W) 25 , Temba Bavuma 0)

De Kock’s boundary fest continues in Chahar’s second over, steering the ball through point off the first delivery to collect his fifth four. Single off each of the next three deliveries. Chahar then gets the breakthrough as Hendricks chips the ball straight to Sundar at mid on, bringing T20I debutant Temba Bavuma to the crease. Seven runs and a wicket from the over.

OUT! Hendricks departs, chipping the ball straight to mid on! Never looked settled at the crease, and now departs for 6. SA 31/1

Hendricks c Sundar b Chahar 6(11)

FOUR! De Kock’s collecting boundaries for fun now! Steers this through point does the South African captain. SA 28/0

It’s a new look South African team and in batting the onus is on the likes of de Kock and Miller to guide the newcomers to tackle these conditions. I am also looking forward to see Rassie van der Dussen batting in these Indian pitches. He was by far the best South African batsman in the World Cup. Played with a lot of flair.

Quinton de Kock in T20Is in India before today:

52, 45, 47, 9

After 3 overs,South Africa 24/0 ( Reeza Hendricks 5 , Quinton de Kock (C) (W) 19)

Navdeep Saini brought in place of Sundar for the third over, the Delhi pacer is off to a forgettable start, getting hit for three boundaries in a row by the South African skipper, with the lightning quick outfield aiding the well-timed strokes. Hendricks however, is beaten by a jaffa off the last delivery, measuring 144 clicks. 13 off the over.

FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries for de Kock, this time flicked past midwicket! SA 23/0

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for de Kock and an expensive start for Navdeep Saini, this time the SA skipper driving it past extra cover and the lightning quick outfield doing the rest. IND 19/0

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for de Kock and an expensive start for Navdeep Saini, this time the SA skipper driving it past extra cover and the lightning quick outfield doing the rest. IND 19/0

FOUR! Full and well outside off along with the extra pace, the bottom edge off de Kock’s bat results in the ball flying away towards the third man fence for an easy boundary for QDK. SA 15/0

After 2 overs,South Africa 11/0 ( Reeza Hendricks 5 , Quinton de Kock (C) (W) 6)

Medium pace from the other end, with Deepak Chahar bowling the second over. Single to the SA skipper of the first delivery followed by a couple of beautiful deliveries to Hendricks. The right-hander then works the ball behind square leg to collect his first boundary off the fourth delivery. Five off the over.

FOUR! Slightly back of length and outside leg, Hendricks glances this behind square to collect his first boundary. SA 11/0

After 1 over,South Africa 6/0 ( Reeza Hendricks 1 , Quinton de Kock (C) (W) 5)

Kohli opts to start off with a spinner, tossing the ball over to Sundar. Hendricks gets off the mark with a single off the second delivery, before de Kock drives the ball through the cover region off the very next delivery to collect the first boundary of the match. Single to QDK off the last delivery.

FOUR! Cracking drive from de Kock, piercing the gap between cover and extra cover! SA 5/0

Right then, we have Washington Sundar starting off with the ball in hand. Skipper Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks, the latter on strike for the first ball of the match. And India’s long home season finally is underway…

India have lost two of the four T20Is that they have played against South Africa in India while other two were abandoned.

From India’s point of view, I am delighted to see Shreyas Iyer back in India’s T20I playing XI. He was there in the squad in West Indies but didn’t get a game. But in the subsequent three-match ODI series, the Mumbai youngster scored 71 and 65 in two innings. Looks like those knocks have now pushed him ahead of Manish Pandey in India’s T20I scheme of things.

India at Mohali in T20Is:

v Sri Lanka, 2009, Won
v Australia, 2016, Won

South Africa XI: Quinton de Kock (c,wk), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Bjorn Fortuin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

Following the washout in Dharamshala, India finally commence their home season here at Mohali. The weather looks absolutely fine. However, it has been a humid day and I believe dew will be a big factor here. And that’s why India have decided to chase. Though, with quite a few pace-bowling all-rounders in their line-up, South Africa shouldn’t mind the wet bowl.

India XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini

Quinton de Kock, South Africa captain: Everything’s a bit new for me at the moment, but I’m enjoying it. New experience for me. Making sure youngsters are learning from us seniors who have played extensively here. We’ve got three debutants: Bjorn Fortuin, Anrich Nortje and Temba Bavuma at three.

Virat Kohli, India captain: Looks like a fresh wicket. Surface looks pretty dry. It’s a great chasing ground. Very difficult to defend here. Squad pretty similar to previous series. KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Rahul Chahar and Khaleel Ahmed miss out.

India win the toss, and skipper Virat Kohli opts to bowl first

Here’s the pitch report by Shaun Pollock and Sunil Gavaskar: 

Shaun Pollock: Highest score of 206. Average of 185. Looks quite dry, but doesn’t turn much here. 

Sunil Gavaskar: This time we don’t see any green at all. Not the kind of green that would excite fast bowlers. But the ball should come on to the bat nicely. Really looks hard, and there are cracks in the middle although that isn’t likely to make much of an impact. I would field first here.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh are off to a flying start after being put in to bat against Zimbabwe in Match 4 of the ongoing T20I tri-series at Chattogram. Follow the full match scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary here .

Here’s a quick look at what’s in store as far as the weather at Chandigarh is concerned during the second T20I between India and South Africa. 

Weather had earlier played spoilsport in Dharamsala, washing the first T20I out without a single ball being bowled.

In the Indian domestic circuit, Rishabh Pant and Navdeep Saini have been included in the Delhi squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, which begins shortly after the third India-South Africa T20I. Left-handed opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan though, has opted out of the 50-over event. 

Read the full report here .

Putting in the hard yards before the big battle

Training ✅#TeamIndia all set for 2nd T20I against South Africa #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/Voqlg4mVRL

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 17, 2019

Rishabh Pant will have to be a lot more careful with his shot selection the next time he walks out to bat, after receiving warnings from both head coach Ravi Shastri and batting coach Vikram Rathour. 

His performance will be one of the more keenly observed sub-plots in the second T20I, which takes place at Mohali today. More on that here .

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the second T20I between India and South Africa at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Wednesday. The three-match series is still 0-0 with the opening match at Dharamsala getting washed out without even the toss taking place.