South Africa have defeated India by 3 wickets

South Africa emerged victorious by 3 wickets in a tense, low-scoring match at St George's Park, overshadowing a stunning 5-wicket haul by India’s Varun Chakravarthy. The hosts, led by Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee, chased down India's modest total of 125 in just 19 overs, leveling the series 1-1.

India set a target of 125, but South Africa reached it with ease, needing only 19 overs to achieve the target. Despite a brilliant spin display by India’s bowlers, the Indian pacers struggled, conceding 86 runs in their 10-over spell. On a day dominated by spin, South Africa’s batters could only manage 4 runs from 9 overs of spin, losing 6 wickets in the process. A crucial 42-run partnership between Stubbs and Coetzee in just 20 balls sealed the match for the hosts.

India, batting first after losing the toss, struggled at the top of the order and was restricted to 124/6 in their allotted 20 overs. South Africa's bowlers, led by spinners, put India on the back foot early. Varun Chakravarthy was the standout performer for India, taking 5 wickets, but even his heroics couldn’t prevent the hosts from securing the win.

South Africa lost their 6th wicket at 66 runs in the 12.2 over, with Chakravarthy completing his five-wicket haul. At that stage, South Africa’s middle order, including Hendricks, Jansen, Klassen, and Miller, had been dismissed. Stubbs, however, took control from there, and with Coetzee’s quickfire cameo, South Africa edged closer to the target.

Stubbs top-scored with 47 off 41 balls, including 7 boundaries. His partnership with Coetzee, which added 42 runs for the 8th wicket, proved to be the match-winning stand. Coetzee played a blistering cameo, scoring 19 runs off 9 balls, as South Africa clinched the victory with an over to spare, winning by 3 wickets.

Chakravarthy’s spell of 4 overs, where he took 5 wickets for just 17 runs, was the highlight of India’s bowling effort. Ravi Bishnoi also contributed with a wicket, giving away 21 runs. However, India’s pacers failed to deliver, with Arshdeep Singh conceding 41 runs in his 4 overs and both Avesh Khan and Hardik Pandya going wicketless.

India’s batting lineup, on the other hand, faltered. The top-order collapsed, with previous match centurion Sanju Samson dismissed for a duck, and opener Abhishek Sharma managing just 4 runs. Captain Suryakumar Yadav, who came in at number three, could only muster 4 runs before India lost 3 wickets for just 15 runs in the first 4 overs.

Tilak Varma (20) and Axar Patel (27) provided some resistance, but it was Hardik Pandya who carried the innings, remaining unbeaten on 39 and pushing India’s total past 100. However, with no significant contributions from other batters, India was bowled out for 124, losing 6 wickets in the process.

South Africa’s victory in this thrilling encounter has leveled the series at 1-1, with all to play for in the final match.