The likes of Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan combined, powered India to compose a remarkable win against South Africa in the second T20, in Mohali, on Wednesday. With the win, India takes a 1-0 lead in the three-match t20 series with the game in Dharamshala being called off due to rain.
Asked to bat first by India, the Proteas posted a first-innings total of 149/5 with major contributions from skipper Quinton de Kock (52) and Temba Bavuma (49). The two, together, forged a 57-run second-wicket partnership to kick start SA’s innings before the former fell to a Navdeep Saini delivery and a spectacular one-handed catch by Skipper Kohli.
88/1 at one stage, Proteas couldn’t maximize the momentum only being able to manage 149, at the end of the innings.
In reply, Virat Kohli produced yet another impressive show in Mohali playing a commanding knock of 72 after India lost Rohit early to Andile Phehlukwayo. The Skipper was accompanied by left-handed Shikhar Dhawan, who played a 40 runs knock, pitting a 61 run partnership with Kohli.
What a sensational catch by Virat Kohli #IndvsSA pic.twitter.com/QLpvJUD8IU
— SumitSamhaLega (@sumitsamhaLega) September 18, 2019
With the win, India now leads 9-4, when it comes to head-to-head t20 contest against South Africa. Team India sealed its fourth successive t20 win, after beating Windies 3-0 last month. Shikhar Dhawan is now only 23 runs behind to reach 1,400-run mark and will be the fifth Indian batsman to do so.
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A Day Spent Well
Kohli’s day on the field was a significant one. Besides hitting his 22nd career T20I fifty, he also surpassed 2,400 career T20I runs to become the highest run-getter in T20 (2,441), only behind Rohit Sharma (2,434).
Kohli hit three sixes in the innings to reach a total of 58 career T20 sixes, equalling Suresh Raina (58). Kohli (72*) now has the most 50-plus scores in T20Is (22).
