In the second Twenty20 international at St George’s Park, South African opener Reeza Hendricks played a pivotal role in leading his team to a five-wicket victory over India.
The match saw a rain-reduced target, with South Africa set to chase 152 runs in 15 overs. Hendricks’ impressive 49 off 27 balls laid the groundwork for the team’s success, helping South Africa take the lead in the three-match series after the first game in Durban was rained out.
India, batting first on a fast track, faced an early setback but recovered, thanks to Suryakumar Yadav’s 56 off 36 balls and Rinku Singh’s unbeaten 68 off 39 balls. India’s momentum, however, was interrupted by rain, leading to a 55-minute delay and a revised target for South Africa. Despite losing an early wicket, Hendricks’ composed performance and a flurry of boundaries kept South Africa on track.
As the game progressed, India applied pressure by taking quick wickets, but South Africa’s David Millar and Tristan Stubbs formed a crucial partnership to steer the team towards victory. Andile Phehlukwayo’s six in the final overs sealed the win for South Africa with seven balls to spare. The series moves to Johannesburg for the final T20I at the Wanderers, followed by three one-day internationals and two Test matches, promising more exciting cricket between the two teams.