What a turnaround in New Chandigarh! South Africa roared back into the five-match T20 series against India on December 11, 2025, with a commanding 51-run victory at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. The venue, hosting its first men’s international match, witnessed a display of power-hitting and disciplined bowling that left the home crowd both stunned and appreciative of a high-quality contest.
After being put in to bat by India, South Africa’s openers strode out with intent. Quinton de Kock, the experienced wicketkeeper-batter, was the undoubted star, hammering a blistering 90 off just 46 balls. His innings was a masterclass in T20 aggression, studded with seven sixes and five fours. De Kock’s assault began early, launching Arshdeep Singh for a six over mid-wicket and then another with a pull shot, setting the tone for the innings. He reached his 17th T20 international half-century in style, driving a boundary off Hardik Pandya.
De Kock found a reliable partner in captain Aiden Markram, with the pair putting together a crucial 83-run stand for the second wicket. Markram chipped in with a brisk 29, including two sixes off spinner Varun Chakravarthy before being caught by Axar Patel. South Africa’s batting, which had faltered badly in the first T20 (being bowled out for a record-low 74), now looked transformed. The visitors kept the scoreboard ticking, and even after de Kock’s run-out—thanks to sharp work from wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma—they didn’t lose momentum.
Donovan Ferreira provided the late fireworks, smashing 30 not out from just 16 balls, including two towering sixes off Jasprit Bumrah in the final over. David Miller, ever the finisher, contributed a rapid unbeaten 20 off 12 balls. South Africa plundered 49 runs from the last three overs, finishing on a daunting 213 for 4 after 20 overs. For India, the usually reliable Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh struggled for control, conceding 45 and 54 runs respectively in their four-over spells. Chakravarthy was the pick of the bowlers, nabbing two wickets for 29 runs and providing some resistance in the face of South Africa’s onslaught.
India’s chase began inauspiciously. Lungi Ngidi struck with the very first ball, dismissing Shubman Gill for a duck. Marco Jansen then accounted for Abhishek Sharma (17) and captain Suryakumar Yadav (5), leaving the hosts teetering at 32 for 3 inside the powerplay. The top order’s collapse put India on the back foot, and the Proteas’ bowlers kept up the pressure with disciplined lines and timely wickets.
Tilak Varma emerged as the lone warrior for India. The left-hander played a valiant knock, scoring 62 off 34 balls and reaching his fifty with a six off Ngidi. Varma tried to revive the chase, first in partnership with Axar Patel (21) and then Hardik Pandya (20), but wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Ottneil Baartman, one of three changes for South Africa after their opening defeat, was the chief destroyer with figures of 4 for 24. Baartman’s spell broke the back of India’s middle order, dismissing Axar and contributing to the steady fall of wickets.
South Africa’s bowlers shared the spoils. Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen claimed two wickets each, while Lutho Sipamla also chipped in with a brace, including the key wickets of Pandya and Jitesh Sharma. India’s lower order offered little resistance, and the innings folded at 162 in 19.1 overs. The home side never really recovered from the early blows, and the required run rate climbed beyond reach. “India lost wickets regularly and never built momentum in the chase,” reported The Times of India, capturing the sense of struggle that permeated the hosts’ innings.
The result means the five-match series is now level at 1-1, setting up an intriguing contest ahead of the third T20 in Dharamsala on December 14. The series itself serves as a crucial warm-up for both sides ahead of the T20 World Cup, scheduled for February-March 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. For India, the defeat was a reality check after their dominant 101-run win in the series opener, where Hardik Pandya’s all-round heroics had put them firmly in control.
South Africa’s resurgence was particularly notable given their struggles in the first match. The decision to bring in Baartman, along with Reeza Hendricks and George Linde, proved inspired. De Kock’s return to form, especially after questions about his T20 future post the last World Cup, will give his team—and perhaps IPL franchises—a timely boost. “An innings like this just less than a week before the IPL mini auction will also create the buzz among the franchises, who might indulge in a bidding war for the multi-skilled cricketer,” speculated Indian Express, hinting at the wider implications of his performance.
For India, there are concerns to address. The continued poor form of Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav, both crucial to India’s white-ball plans, is sure to spark debate among selectors and fans. The bowling unit, usually so dependable at home, was uncharacteristically expensive. Arshdeep Singh’s 13-ball over, which included seven wides and cost 18 runs, was emblematic of the pressure South Africa managed to exert. The fielding, however, provided a bright spot, with Jitesh Sharma’s quick work behind the stumps to run out de Kock standing out.
Off the field, the occasion was marked by a sense of pride for Indian cricket. The stadium’s first men’s international was celebrated with the naming of a stand after Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s first Women’s World Cup-winning captain. Local legend Yuvraj Singh was also seen giving a pep talk to the Indian team—a reminder of the region’s rich cricketing heritage.
As both teams look ahead to Dharamsala, the momentum has shifted. South Africa will be buoyed by their comprehensive win and the return to form of key players. India, meanwhile, will be eager to regroup, address their top-order woes, and restore their dominance at home. The series, now finely poised, promises more drama and high-quality cricket in the matches to come.
With the T20 World Cup looming, every performance, every selection, and every tactical adjustment takes on added significance. For now, South Africa can savor a hard-earned win, while India will look to bounce back in the Himalayas. Cricket fans, buckle up—the series is just getting started!
