India registered a huge win by a good margin of 82 runs against South Africa in the fourth fixture of the 5-match T20I series at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot on Friday, June 17. The home side managed to level the series after putting up a major fightback.
India puts up a show against South Africa
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma had won the toss and elected to bowl against unchanged India at the SCA Stadium. South Africa made three changes, replacing Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell and Reeza Hendricks with Marco Jansen, a fit-again Quinton de Kock, and Lungi Ngidi.
Dinesh Karthik hit 55 off 27 deliveries to record his maiden T20I fifty as India reached 169/6 in 20 overs. India gathered just 56 runs in the first 10 overs before the Hardik-Karthik stand boosted the scoring rate. While Hardik perished after hitting 46, Karthik went on to score his maiden T20I fifty. He gathered 55 off just 27 deliveries, hitting nine fours and two sixes en route to the fifty mark. The pair added 65 runs for the fifth wicket.
Chasing a target of 170, South Africa kept on losing wickets at regular intervals, and were eventually bowled out for a paltry total of 87. Avesh Khan starred with the ball as he took four wickets, including three in an over.
The sides will next head to Bengaluru for the deciding fifth T20 on Sunday.
