2nd T20I Preview: Can India extend their dominance over SA?
What's the story
India will take on South Africa in the second T20I of the five-match series at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on December 11. After a dominating victory in the first match, India will look to extend their lead in this encounter. In the opening T20I at Cuttack, South Africa were bowled out for their lowest-ever T20I total of 74 runs. Here is the preview of the second T20I.
Venue details
Pitch report and streaming details
The pitch at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur in New Chandigarh, provides a fair contest between bat and ball. It favors batters in the beginning due to a fast outfield, while spinners come into play as innings progress, especially in the latter half. Meanwhile, one can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network and stream it on the JioHotstar app/website (7:00pm IST).
Match highlights
Pandya's strong performance with the bat
India won the first T20I by a whopping 101 runs thanks to Hardik Pandya's explosive knock of an unbeaten 59 off just 28 balls. Despite a shaky start to their innings, where Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill fell cheaply, Abhishek Sharma (17) and Tilak Varma (26) steadied the ship. Axar Patel (23) also played a decent knock before Pandya took over and powered India to 175/6.
Team performance
South Africa's batting collapse in the 1st T20I
South Africa's batting order crumbled under pressure, with Arshdeep Singh striking early blows by dismissing Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs. Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Pandya himself, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Shivam Dube all joined the wicket-taking spree. Apart from Dewald Brevis, who scored 22 runs, none of the South African batters were able to touch the 15-run mark.
Historical data
India's T20I record against South Africa
Overall in T20Is, the two teams have met each other 32 times in T20Is. Team India has won 19 matches, with South Africa pocketing 12 wins (NR: 1). On Indian soil, the two sides have faced each other 13 times. Both teams have walked away with six wins apiece as one of their games got abandoned due to rain.
Line-ups
Here are the likely XIs
India likely XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh. South Africa likely XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje.
Stats
Here are the key performers
With 773 runs at an impressive strike rate of 194.71, Abhishek Sharma is India's leading run-getter in T20Is this year. Dewald Brevis's 417 T20I runs in 2025 have come at an average of 34.75 and a strike rate of 182.09. Arshdeep Singh has recorded 47 powerplay wickets in T20Is, as his average in this phase is a sensational 19.89. Lungi Ngidi's spell was one of the few positives for SA in the opener. He claimed 3/31 in four overs.
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