South Africa wins second T-20 International against India thanks to Reeza Hendricks’s barrage. Rain-adjusted targets seem to unleash the adventurous spirit in baseball players. After rain stopped India’s innings on 180/7 in 19.3 overs, the highest-ever total in Twenty20 Internationals at St George’s Park, a target of 152 in 15 overs appeared impossible. Despite a late wobble following a light start, South Africa reached the target with seven balls remaining for the loss of five wickets, exuding a joie de vivre that was reminiscent of their style in the most recent 50-over World Cup.
There’s no denying that the odds are frequently stacked against teams defending a total in a match with less rain. The batsmen get a “nothing-to-lose” attitude, the wet outfield makes the ball slick, and the pitch gets a little bit faster to help with stroke play. India suffered from not having the brilliant Mohammed Shami and the electric Jasprit Bumrah. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj were present instead. With all of his experience from Tests, ODIs, and the IPL, the former was only playing in his ninth Twenty20 International match; the latter has somewhat lost his control and sharpness. Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke raced to 42 runs in three overs before Breetzke ran himself out, leaving neither with an answer.
Hendricks had an immediate desire to go on the rampage. In the opening over, he hit two boundaries that were off the edge and one that was a thunderbolt drive through mid-off. India was stunned by the 14-run over. Fear took hold, and panic set in. The visiting team, lacking the composure that comes with experience, abruptly became desperate due to their inexperienced core. Then, 25-year-old Breetzke would put on a four-and-six for Arshdeep. A leaping extra-cover fielder dodged the four, but the blow was so strong that it would eventually defeat him. The next ball, heaved over fine-leg by the left-armer. As Hendricks finished the over with a sixth, fear turned to dread. After being tormented for twenty-four runs, Arshdeep gazed blankly up at the heavens.
In response, skipper Surykumar Yadav introduced Ravindra Jadeja, who wasn’t typically a new-ball operator but was compelled to take drastic measures due to the situation. It made sense that he had trouble holding onto the ball because it was so wet and fresh. However, aside from Breetzke’s departure, a rare boundary-less over occurred
following a crazed confusion that left the dismissed batsman cursing and hitting his head in disappointment.
However, that wouldn’t stop the onslaught of restrictions. Maintaining momentum, Aiden Markram made his intentions clear by hitting a hat-trick of fours off Mukesh Kumar. Kumar didn’t deliver any awful speeches. However, the captain of South Africa created artif
icial limits. He fetched a fierce blow from outside off-stump in the first. The ball was not so much short as it was back-of-length, but he needed just enough width to grab onto it. He confidently lofted the subsequent ball over mid-on, fully aware that Kumar would attempt a longer drive. The next ball Kumar attempted was shorter, but Markram moved fast to laser it between the extra cover and the cover point.
It wasn’t too long before Kuldeep Yadav was introduced. However, he was unable to duplicate the effect that his South African counterpart, Tabraiz Shamsi, who gave up just one four in the abundance of boundaries, had produced during India’s in
nings, when the pitch was considerably drier. Hendricks slapped him for two fours, opting to remain on the back foot. He is a strong, fearless batsman who is good both down the ground and square. He plays mostly with his back foot. Even the spinners skidded the ball because of the faster pitch, but he would still be on the back foot and rely on his hands and eyes to stay out of harm’s way.
The 34-year-old, who has been tipped for greatness since his U-19 days, has hardly ever had a long run in the team. However, he appears to be making up for lost time, hitting a noteworthy 49 off just 27 balls. There was a glimmer of hope for an India comeback when Hendricks and Markram left the game after just eight balls. The hosts would go on to lose two more wickets, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, rather clumsily, but South Africa held on, and the much-maligned Andile Phehlukwayo finished the match by tonking Jadeja over deep square leg.
