South Africa Crush India in Mullanpur to Level T20 Series 1-1
December 11, 2025:South Africa A spectacular batting display from Quinton de Kock and a clinical bowling performance led by Ottneil Baartman powered South Africa to a comprehensive 51-run victory over India in the 2nd T20I at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, leveling the five-match series at 1-1.
The pitch, hosting its first-ever Men’s international T20, proved to be a batting paradise, where Indian bowlers struggled badly to contain the Proteas’ top and middle order.
South Africa Innings: De Kock Unleashes Fury
| Player | Score | Wicket | Bowler |
| Q. de Kock | 90 (46) | RUN OUT | b Axar Patel |
| D. Ferreira | 30 (16)* | Not Out | – |
| D. Miller | 20 (12)* | Not Out | – |
| A. Markram (c) | 31 (24) | c Hardik | b Varun C. |
| Extras | 23 (w 16, nb 1, lb 6) | ||
| Total | 213/4 (20 Overs) |
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Dominant Partnership: De Kock, returning to form, put on an 88-run partnership with captain Aiden Markram (31 off 24) after Reeza Hendricks fell early to Varun Chakravarthy.
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India’s Pace Bleeds: India’s primary pacers had a night to forget. Arshdeep Singh was particularly expensive, conceding 54 runs from his 4 overs, including a staggering 7 wides in a single over.1 Jasprit Bumrah also went wicketless for 45 runs, failing to restrict the late onslaught.
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The Lone Star: Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy was the standout bowler, finishing with figures of 2/29 from his four overs, notably deceiving Markram and Tristan Stubbs (0) to briefly stem the flow of runs in the middle overs.
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Finishing Power: The death overs saw a quick-fire 30 off 16 from Donovan Ferreira and 20 off 12 from veteran David Miller, ensuring South Africa posted a massive target of 214.
🇮🇳 India Innings: Top-Order Crumbles Under Pressure
| Player | Score | Wicket | Bowler |
| T. Varma | 62 (33) | c Brevis | b Sipamla |
| H. Pandya | 20 (23) | c Brevis | b Jansen |
| S. Gill | 0 (1) | c †de Kock | b Ngidi |
| S. Yadav (c) | 4 (4) | c †de Kock | b Baartman |
| Total | 162 All Out |
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Disastrous Start: The chase was crippled early. Shubman Gill was dismissed for a golden duck in the first over, and India lost their top three—including captain Suryakumar Yadav (4)—inside the powerplay, reeling at 32/3.
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Tilak Varma’s Gutsy Fifty: Young Tilak Varma kept India’s faint hopes alive with a brilliant, aggressive 62 off 33 balls, reaching his half-century in just 26 deliveries. However, a lack of support meant the required run-rate spiraled out of control.
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Hardik Pandya’s Struggle: Vice-captain Hardik Pandya (20 off 23) failed to get going, consuming too many deliveries before his dismissal, which effectively ended India’s competitive challenge.
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Proteas Bowlers Seize Control: The South African bowlers were precise and relentless. Ottneil Baartman was exceptional, finishing with 3/24 and getting the key wickets of Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube. Marco Jansen (2/25) and Lutho Sipamla (2/46) also picked up crucial wickets in the middle and death overs.
Series Decider Moves to Dharamshala
The five-match series is now perfectly poised at 1-1. The third T20I is scheduled for Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, where India will be looking to bounce back from this heavy defeat.
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