South Africa vs India, 2nd T20I: South Africa Player Ratings

Team India were soaring sky high after the historic ODI series win against South Africa. They continued their rampaging form in the limited overs cricket with that thumping win. The Virat Kohli-led side managed to bring the same good form in the first T20I in the 3-match series too. With a 1-0 lead, they entered the Centurion game with a series win in mind. But much to their disappointment, the hosts were in sublime form on the day to level the series with a 6-wicket win.

Earlier in the game, JP Duminy had won the toss and opted to bowl first. India were dented early in the innings with Rohit Sharma bagging a golden duck. Shikhar Dhawan got off to a flying start at the other end but could not get going for long. So was the case with Suresh Raina.

Virat Kohli had a rare failure and a top order collapse of sorts saw the visitors struggling at 90/4 at one stage. MS Dhoni and Manish Pandey then hit unbeaten fifties and stitched a valuable 98-run unbeaten stand to take India to 188/4 in their 20 overs.

In the run chase, Jaydev Unadkat struck early to dismiss JJ Smuts. Beuran Hendricks played well for his 26 but became Shardul Thakur’s victim on the night. A 93-run stand then beckoned for the hosts between JP Duminy and Heinrich Klaasen that put them in the driver’s seat. Klaasen scored a key 69 off just 30 balls before getting dismissed. After his dismissal, Duminy ensured that he saw his team over the line with six wickets in hand.

Here are the South Africa Player Ratings for the match:

JJ Smuts – 1/10

Opener JJ Smuts had yet another disappointing outing in the series. After a failure in Johannesburg, the hard hitting opener would have liked to get some runs under his belt in this particular game. But he was largely a failure in the match. He could only score a couple of runs before getting dismissed by Jaydev Unadkat.

Reeza Hendricks – 6/10

Reeza Hendricks was the star performer for the team in the previous game. Hendricks had scored a fighting fifty in a losing game in Jo’burg. Here in Centurion, he did manage to get off to a flying start. He scored a brisk 26 off just 17 deliveries. But he ended up throwing his wicket away to Shardul Thakur.

JP Duminy – 8/10

Skipper JP Duminy managed to do what he claimed. He had rightly remarked that his team will take the game as a semi final. They did see it as a knockout fixture and played to their potential. Duminy scored an unbeaten 64 off 40 deliveries with 4 fours and 3 sixes to his name. Also, he had dismissed Shikhar Dhawan earlier in the game.

Heinrich Klaasen – 9.5/10

Heinrich Klaasen was the difference betwee the two sides in the match. It is worth noting that Klaasen has been the thorn in the flesh for the Indian team everytime South Africa has won a match against them this season in the limited overs.

Klaasen brought up his maiden fifty in the format and he reached the milestone in just 22 deliveries. He took special liking to Yuzvendra Chahal. He finished with 69 off just 30 deliveries with 3 fours and 7 maximums before getting dismissed in the middle overs.

David Miller – 1/10

David Miller’s poor form with the bat in the T20I series continued. Well, it is harsh to be quoting that given the fact that there have been just two games. But Miller has perished to a similar plot on both occasions. Much like Jo’burg, it was Hardik Pandya who accounted for his dismissal again. He could only score 5 in the game.

Farhaan Behardien – 5/10

Farhaan Behardien continued his good form with the bat in this game. He arrived at a tricky time in the game. He could have given it away by playing a reckless shot. But he chose to hang on and give Duminy the ideal support till the end. He remained unbeaen on 16 that included a big six off the bowling of Chahal.

Andile Phehlukwayo – 6/10

Andile Phehlukwayo contributed with two decent overs for South Africa in the game. In the two overs that he bowled, he gave away 15 runs and took a big wicket as well. He accounted for the dismissal of Suresh Raina. His services with the bat were not needed in the game since the top order were at their best on the day.

Chris Morris – 4/10

Many were surprised to see Chris Morris bowl the first over of the match. Morris started off on a very positive note by appealing for an lbw on the very first ball of the match. His first over was a maiden. However, he was taken for a heavy toll thereafter with Shikhar Dhawan taking a special liking to him. He leaked 42 runs in the four overs that he bowled in the match.

Dane Paterson – 2/10

Dane Paterson’s luckless form continued in this particular series. He went wicketless in the game. Also, the Indian batsmen found it absolutely easy to negotiate with his bowling. In the four overs that Paterson bowled, he gave away as many as 51 runs.

Tabraiz Shamsi – 2/10

Tabraiz Shamsi was not given his complete quota of overs on the day. Shamsi was the most impressive South African bowler in the previous game. He, however, leaked 23 runs in the 2 overs that he bowled on the day. He will be hoping for an improved show in the next game.

Junior Dala – 7.5/10

Junior Dala continued to impress with his bowling in this game. Dala, who was very impressive on his debut in the previous game, emerged to be the pick of the bowlers for South Africa in this game as well. He returned with figures of 2/28 in his four overs. He dismissed Rohit Sharma on the very first ball of his spell. Also, he accounted for the dismissal of Virat Kohli in the match.

For the latest cricket news, follow CricTracker.