South Africa’s opener Reeza Hendricks laid the groundwork for their five-wicket victory over India in (their) second Twenty20 international at St George’s Park on Tuesday, 12 December.
Rain delayed play for about an hour after India was sent into bat and reached 180-7 off 19.3 overs; thus, South Africa was set 152 off 15 overs.
Hendricks fell short of a half-century, but his 49 runs off 27 balls provided the foundation for success, allowing South Africa to take the lead in the three-match series after the first match in Durban was rained out on Sunday.
However, in the second T20I between India and South Africa, Team India batsman Rinku Singh was practically on fire.
While the Indians struggled to get off to a strong start after losing both openers, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, for ducks, Rinku Singh smashed an undefeated 68 off 39 balls.
The game’s most memorable moment was Rinku Singh’s two fantastic sixes, one of which cracked the glass of the media box at Gqeberha’s St George’s Park. The video of the spectacular knock has gone viral on social media, with netizens praising the 26-year-old cricketer’s superb form.
Rinku, who was playing for the first time in South Africa, took his time before working the pitch well. In his fast-paced innings, his square of the wicket strokes stood out, including fours and two straight sixes against Aiden Markram.
On 14 December, the third and final T20 will be played in Johannesburg.
By Sasi Nair
