India Look to Extend Dominance as South Africa Seek Revival in 2nd T20I at Chandigarh

India and South Africa are set for the second T20I at the New PCA Stadium in Chandigarh, with the hosts eager to build on their emphatic 101-run victory in the series opener.

Riding high on confidence, India showcased a dominant performance in the first game, with Hardik Pandya’s explosive 59 off 28 balls powering the team to 175/6. The Indian bowlers then restricted South Africa to a mere 74, marking the Proteas’ lowest-ever T20I total.

South Africa’s batting lineup struggled against India’s well-rounded bowling attack, with six Indian bowlers chipping in with wickets. The Proteas’ frailties were laid bare, and the team will need a swift turnaround to remain competitive in the series. Captain Aiden Markram’s side will be looking to regroup and bounce back, but India is determined to maintain its winning momentum.

Toss Update:India won the toss and opted to field first.

Suryakumar Yadav, India’s captain, said, “We'll bowl first, the dew is a factor, and it's a good option. This is a wonderful ground, excited for the first men's T20I here. The boys need to understand their responsibility; they batted well in the first game. Hardik’s balance and calmness were key; he’s carried himself well post-injury. We're sticking with the same team, looking to build on our momentum.”

Aiden Markram, South Africa captain, stated, “We thought bowling first was the way to go. The wicket looked good. We're happy to put runs on the board and put India under pressure. Sometimes you have off days, and you just move on. We've taken lessons from the first match and are focused on getting it right tonight. We'll adjust our strategy based on how the pitch behaves.”

With high stakes and a lot at play, all eyes will be on whether India can continue their dominant run or if South Africa can stage a comeback in Chandigarh.

Also Read: A Dew-Soaked Gamble? South Africa Bowled First—But Did They Read Ranchi Right?