The objects in the mirror are closer than they appear: India and South Africa come into Thursday’s (December 11, 2025) second T20I with barely any scope to reflect on Tuesday’s (December 9) exploits.
A byproduct of the rapid-fire scheduling is that both teams, having only arrived in India’s first planned city, will have little time to prepare at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium.
While the Men in Blue will do well not to rest on their laurels after the 101-run triumph in Cuttack, the Proteas will be relieved to get back into the thick of things without having to dwell on the silly mistakes made at the Barabati Stadium.
South Africa’s biggest worry will be the manner in which its batting capitulated in the 176-run chase. From Quinton de Kock being caught by Abhishek Sharma at second slip off the second ball to Lutho Sipamla’s edge signalling the premature end of the South African innings (bundled out for 74 in 12.3 overs), nothing went right for the Protean willow-wielders.
Their attacking intent proved misplaced on a pitch that gave just enough assistance for the tweakers and speedsters. If they are to pose a stiffer challenge against the well-rounded Indian bowling line-up, better sense needs to prevail.
The South African bowlers, on the other hand, held their own, especially in the first half of the Indian innings before a marauding Hardik Pandya (59 n.o., 28b) changed the course of the essay and the match.
Skipper Aiden Markram will be pleased with the returns of opening bowlers Lungi Ngidi (4-0-31-3) and Marco Jansen (4-0-23-0), though the death bowling showcased by Sipamla (4-0-38-2) and Anrich Nortje (4-0-41-0) would have left the captain concerned.
The think-tank may well consider bringing in one or both of pacer Corbin Bosch and spinner George Linde, with their big-hitting prowess being a welcome bonus for the under-confident batting order.
The Men in Blue, however, will not be entertaining any thoughts of tinkering with their on-a-high bowling attack. Whether to pick the extra pacer in Arshdeep Singh or to go with the third spinner in Kuldeep Yadav was the only brain-teaser ahead of the opening fixture.
India, after fielding fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep together in a home T20I for the first time, condemned the South Africans to their lowest score in the format, with each of the six bowlers scalping at least one wicket. They deserve to have another go at the visitors after such a spectacular show.
In the batting department, India’s biggest wish will be for Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill to score some big runs. The captain has not had a T20I half-century since October 12, 2024. Not only has Gill failed to breach the landmark in the format since July 13, 2024, but the opener has not hit two sixes in an innings since his unbeaten 58 against Zimbabwe in Harare.
The skipper and his deputy will have to set the record straight in these nine matches before India begins its T20 World Cup title defence.
February 7, 2026 is closer than it appears.
The teams (from): India: Suryakumar Yadav (Capt.), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana and Washington Sundar.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (Capt.), David Miller, Reeza Hendricks, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Donovan Ferreira (wk), Quinton de Kock (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Lutho Sipamla and Ottneil Baartman.
Match starts at 7 p.m.
Published – December 10, 2025 09:03 pm IST
