India vs South Africa: Klassen Counter Gives South Africa 2-0 Series Lead.

India vs South Africa: Heinrich Klaasen produced a magnificent counter attacking display to help South Africa take a 2-0 lead against India in the 5-match T20I series.

India began the game in disappointing fashion as Ruturaj Gaikwad was gone in the first over to Kagiso Rabada.

Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer then found their gear in scoring 42 runs in the PowerPlay on a two-paced wicket.

But after his wicket fell India struggled to get going. Shreyas Iyer batted solidly but was dismissed by Pretorious. Rishabh Pant tried to take on the spinners but Keshav Maharaj sent him packing as Proteas tightened their grip.

Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel failed to inspire as India found themselves 112/6 in 17 overs.

A late cameo by Dinesh Karthik who took 30 off the final two overs to give India a respectable total of 148 in 20 overs.

The chase was always going to be tricky on a pitch that offered uneven bounce for the pacers.

India emerged strong in the PowerPlay after an inspired spell from  Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took three wickets in the first 6 overs of the innings.

South Africa had lost Van Dussen and Pretorious in that spell and were down to 29/3 in Powerplay.

Heinrich Klaasen into the team only because of an injuryt to regular ‘keeper Quinton de Kock played a match winning knock.

He combined with captain Temba Bavuma and led a feisty counter attack.

Klassen hit two boundaries off Hardik Pandya before taking apart Axar Patel for 19 runs in the 12th over. 

This brought down the chase to 60 off 48 balls. With Klassen firing and Bavuma playing his role to perfection scoring 35 in a 64-run stand as the visitors looked at ease.

India’s spinners, Chahal and Axar conceded 68 runs from their five combined overs with a solitary wicket between them.

Klaseen showed no remorse as he hit 5 sixes and 7 fours in a career best 81 off 46 balls. After his dismissal in the 17th over, David Miller finished off the chase with 20 off 15 balls as South Africa romped to a 6-wicket win.

Brief scores: 

India 148/6 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 40, Ishan Kishan 34; Anrich Nortje 2-36)

South Africa149/6 in 18.2 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 81, Temba Bavuma 35; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-13)