India vs South Africa 2nd T20I Highlights, Gqebehra: South Africa Beat India By 5 Wickets To Take 1-0 Lead

South Africa defeat India by 5 wickets and 7 balls to spare. They take a 1-0 lead and cannot lose the series from here.

Six and OUT! Mukesh Kumar proving his mettle here in the death. He gets the big wicket of David Miller. SA need 12 off 12 to win it.

First Reeza Hendricks and now Heinrich Klaasen, back to back wickets for India has brought them into the game. However, the required run-rate is under control. 

A consolatory wicket for Mukesh Kumar as he picks up captain Aiden Markram on a bouncer. However, SA are way ahead in this game and the only way India can pull it back from here is with wickets. SA 96/2 (8)

A mix-up between Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke has brought the first wicket for India. Jadeja and Jitesh complete a simple run-out. 

An over which had almost everything has come to an end. Siraj would consider himself unlucky as he did nothing wrong and created chances as well. Arshdeep Singh to bowl from the other end.

Innings Break!

Revised target for South Africa to chase in 15 overs is 152 runs.

Play to resume at 11.10 PM ISThttps://t.co/0sPVek9NdO #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/9KrzFNbWoU, — BCCI (@BCCI) December 12, 2023

Indian fielders and pacers have started practicing in the middle. It is certain that India's innings has ended. Revised target for SA to be revealed soon. Match to start at 11:10 PM IST.

BREAKING: Rain has stopped in Gqebehra. Covers are off the ground off as well. 

Rinku Singh has broken the glass of media box with a six.

- The future is here. pic.twitter.com/4hKhhfjnOr, — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 12, 2023

The covers are still intact here at the St. George's Park. It is highly unlikely that India will resume their innings. A revised target will come into play for sure. 

Rain has stopped play at Gqeberha. India are 180/7 at the end of 19.3 overs. 

The run-rate has been kept at an optimum by the Indian batters. Rinku Singh reached his fifty in 30 balls. Jitesh Sharma failed to get going in his short-lived knock. 

Tabraiz Shamsi gets the reward for some disciplined bowling. He gets the big scalp of Suryakumar Yadav. Jitesh Sharma is the new batter in. IND 125/4 (13.4)

A half century for Suryakumar Yadav. That is a brilliant knock, a proper T20 knock to bail his team out of a bother. Marco Jansen finishes his 3rd over. IND 101/3 (11)

Gerald Coetzee picks up the massive wicket of Tilak Varma. It has been pretty much fifty-fifty at the moment. Rinku Singh is the new batter in and India stand at 59/3 after 6 overs.

This is excellent counter attack from Indian batters. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma have played some sumptuous shots. It has started to drizzle in Gqebehra. 

OUT! Another big wicket as Shubman Gill has been trapped by Lizaad Williams. A good set-up and it is hitting the stumps. India lose both openers early.

First blood to Marco Jansen. Jaiswal departs for a duck after facing 3 balls. A good catch by David Miller at point. Tilak Varma is the new batter in. IND 1/1 (0.4)

SKY | India captain: Very happy to be here and happy to know there's some cricket around. We were confused what to do, but now we are very happy to bat first. It's an opportunity for everyone playing this game. World Cup is still 5-6 months away. Just enjoy yourself is the message to the team.

We are going to bowl first, been under the covers for most of the day, so I would assume it would move around a bit. Each game becomes important for us to fine tune things before the 2024 T20 WC, hopefully we can start well today. From my point of view it's about understanding if someone needs a rest. No debuts today.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Don't go anywhere! Toss will take place soon and we at Jagran English will bring you all the live updates.

As the rain has stopped, Indian players have come out to practice with the bat. Captain Suryakumar Yadav is the one spotted near the pitch with his bat. 

With this drizzle, there is a massive possibility for a delayed toss. However, the fans have started to come inside the stadium for the match.  

About 40 minutes to toss and we are witnessing a steady drizzle. #SAvIND https://t.co/eMsb79d2UN pic.twitter.com/28bzBMBY98, — BCCI (@BCCI) December 12, 2023

As both India and South Africa have limited games left to finalize their squads for the T20 World Cup, the truncated opportunities due to weather and scheduling add an extra layer of complexity to the selection process. The challenge intensifies for the young Indian batting lineup against the extra bounce on South African pitches.

In the bowling department, with only Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah (who is not playing this series) being straightforward selections, multiple spots are up for grabs. Some notable names like Deepak Chahar are unavailable due to personal emergencies, while Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, and Ravindra Jadeja aim to carry their good form into the series.

Fans already queuing up to get in to the ground ahead of the second #KFCT20I #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/YR83kEFpaa, — Kass Naidoo (@KassNaidoo) December 12, 2023

The scheduling of India's T20 commitments before the World Cup has come under scrutiny, with only the series against Afghanistan remaining before the mega event. The selectors may have to rely solely on IPL performances for World Cup selection.

Certain players like Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rinku Singh appear to be certainties in the batting order for the ICC event. However, with the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad needing standout performances in the IPL to secure spots, the competition is intense, especially if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma make themselves available for the World Cup.

The selectors had named a 17-man squad for the series, and with only two games left, it's improbable that every player will get a chance to showcase their skills. The form in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) is expected to carry significant weight for selection in the Indian squad heading to the USA and the Caribbean for the T20 World Cup.

Hello and welcome to St George's Park, our venue for the 2nd T20I against South Africa.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/YJ6dm7qKPC, — BCCI (@BCCI) December 12, 2023

As per the latest post posted by BCCI on X, the weather around St. George's Park has been under dark clouds. 

The series opener in Durban witnessed not only a washout but also the toss couldn't be held, adding to the frustration of the Indian team. The weather forecast remains uncertain for the second game of the three-match series, raising concerns about the limited opportunities for trying out players.

The Indian cricket team's plans for auditions and experimentation with young talents ahead of the T20 World Cup hit a roadblock as the series opener against South Africa was washed out. With only five games remaining before the T20 World Cup in June, the team management is eager for clear weather in the second T20I against South Africa.

Hello and welcome to the live cricket coverage of match no. 2 of the three-match T20I series between India and South Africa here at the St. George's Park in Gqebehra.