Hosts South Africa clinched a crucial victory in the second game of the three-match T20I series against India at the SuperSport Park (Centurion). The hosts proved a better performer in this encounter with their 6 wickets victory and levelled the series by the 1-1 margin which means the last game of this series will be a series-decider.
After winning the toss, South Africa decided to bowl first. Indian opener Rohit Sharma was sent back to the pavilion without opening the scoreboard. Then, Suresh Raina and another Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan started India’s innings. Both the batsmen had the very good start but failed to capitalize on the big knock as Dhawan departed for 24 runs while Raina was dismissed on 31 runs. In the middle of this wickets, Indian skipper Virat Kohli fell cheaply for just 1 run.
Also read: Match Review - SA vs Ind (2nd T20I)
After falling 90/4 in 10.4 overs, Manish Pandey and MS Dhoni controlled the situation and later blasted over the opponent bowlers. Both completed half-centuries and took the team’s total to 188/4 at the end of 20 overs. Pandey remained unbeaten for 79 runs while Dhoni was not out on 52 runs.
Also read: Dhoni silenced critics with second T20I fifty
Among the South African bowlers, pacer Junior Dala (2/28) picked up two wickets while skipper JP Duminy (1/13) and Andile Phehlukwayo (1/15) clinched one wicket each in their short spells.
In reply, South Africa had not a very good start as their both openers were dismissed under 40 run on the scoreboard (38/2).
However, the hosts fight back through their superb third-wicket partnership between the skipper JP Duminy and the wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen. They put an important 93-runs partnership for that wicket which set the game for them.
Player of the match winner Klaasen was sent back on 69 runs while JP Duminy (64*) continuously stretched his innings till the victory.
After Klaasen’s dismissal, the hosts lost another wicket of David Miller (5 runs) while Farhaan Behardien was not out for 16 runs. South Africa won the match by 6 wickets with 8 balls to spare as they reached the target in 18.4 overs (189/4).
Among the Indian bowlers, Jaydev Unadkat (2/42) claimed two wickets while Hardik Pandya (1/31) and T20I debutant pacer Shardul Thakur (1/31) were able to pick one wicket each.
With this victory, South Africa levelled the three-match T20I series by 1-1.
Now, we will look at the Twitter reactions of the match.
Talking about MS Dhoni’s knock
Each Shot Of MS Dhoni Is A Tight Slap On Haters Face Who Keep Saying MS Dhoni Must Retire After Every Match. 💪🙏🇮🇳 #IndvSA #INDvsSA #SAvIND #SAvsIND #Dhoni
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) February 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/Cricprabhu/status/966364905237393408
#Dhoni 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Amaaazing !!!! 🏏… After a very long time decided to watch T20 and I’m glad I saw it! #INDvSA
— Soundarya Sharma (@soundarya_20) February 21, 2018
#Dhoni on 🔥. Watching a t 20 after long let’s gooo indiaaaaa
— Varun DAN Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) February 21, 2018
Back foot over cover for 6! Off a fast bowler! Shot of the day from Dhoni. Guess last over is his territory!!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 21, 2018
With due respect to all our legendary cricketers, i feel after Sachin, #Dhoni is the most loved cricketer in India & among Indians worldwide. When he score runs, India celebrates. God bless him.. #IndvsSA
— Sumit kadel (@SumitkadeI) February 21, 2018
That backfoot six over covers was like a affidavit over a 100 rupee stamp paper signed by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) February 21, 2018
So happy to see @msdhoni finish in style! #IndvsSa #MSDhoni
— Ash (@C4EAsh) February 21, 2018
MSD shows his class to the haters. Legend remains legend.#msdhoni
— Shivam Gupta (@ShivamG786786) February 21, 2018
@msdhoni @BCCI Loved the Super innings of my Super King MSD. What an ice cool blast of an innings… love you a lot Dhoni bhai… @ChennaiIPL
— Praveen Balusu (@PraveenBalusu1) February 21, 2018
Mohammad Kaif and Virender Sehwag enjoyed with MS Dhoni and Manish Pandey’s knock
Waah ! Dhoni , kya maara. Great innings from Manish Pandey and MS Dhoni and 188 is a very competitive score #SAvIND
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 21, 2018
Last 4 overs 55 . Hathyar chalana nahi bhoolein, Special hits from a special player , Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Great effort from Pandey as well. Best wishes to the bowlers to defend 188
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 21, 2018
This man amazed at Heinrich Klaasen’s brilliant knock
Absolutely wht n innings by Henrich Klaasen 👏👏👌👌 Amazing#SAVSIND Congratulations SA
— Usman Bera (@Usman_Bera) February 21, 2018
Appreciating South African skipper JP Duminy’s innings
Captain’s innings is long over due! Well done @jpduminy21 and team for a well played & well deserved win. 👏👏👏👏👏 #T20 #SAvsIND #SABCcricket #ProteaFire
— Almino Harvey (@Yozay23) February 21, 2018
Believing in Yuzvendra Chahal
I am sure Chahal will come back a tougher man. #SAvsIND
— Siddharth Maisuria (@sidbleedsblue) February 21, 2018
Happy with Proteas victory
I can go to sleep a happy man… Thank you Proteas! 😎JP and Klaasen what a show… #SAvsIND #ProteaFire #KFCT20 @SPORTATSABC @SuperSportTV
— Martin Weale (@SloViek) February 21, 2018
