India vs South Africa 2nd T20I Highlights: Quinton de Kock’s Fireworks Light Up Mullanpur as SA Crush IND by 51 Runs, Series 1-1
Oof, what a night in Mullanpur! One minute you’re thinking India’s got this series in the bag after that first T20I win, the next Quinton de Kock turns the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium into his personal six-hitting playground. South Africa smashed 213/4, India crumbled to 162 all out — a whopping 51-run thrashing that squares the series 1-1.
Honestly, if you blinked, you missed de Kock’s 90 off 46 balls — five fours, seven massive sixes that had the crowd gasping. It felt like watching a lion back in his den after a lean spell. By the way, remember his recent T20I scores? 1, 23, 7, 0, 0. Talk about a comeback roast!
Let’s relive the chaos, the brilliance, and those “what were they thinking” moments. Grab your popcorn — this match report’s got stories that’ll make you yell at your screen all over again.
The Toss and Early Fireworks: De Kock Sets the Tone
South Africa win the toss, bat first on a pitch that looked true but turned out batsman-friendly. India hand the ball to Arshdeep Singh — big mistake. De Kock greets him with two sixes and a four in the third over alone. Powerplay: 53 runs, no wickets. Brutal.
Picture this: You’re Jasprit Bumrah, the death-over king, and both openers pull you for sixes in your first over. Reeza Hendricks and Quinton treat the new ball like beach volleyball. By the way, that 83-run stand with Aiden Markram? Pure class, building pressure without even trying.
India needed early wickets. Varun Chakravarthy delivers — cleans up Hendricks with his first ball, then gets Markram (caught at deep mid-wicket). But damage done: SA cruising at 156/2 after 15 overs.
De Kock’s Masterclass: 90 Off 46, Denied a Ton by Jitesh Magic
Quinton de Kock. Where do we start? The man was on a mission, smashing Hardik Pandya for 17 in one over, clearing long-on like it was a practice net. Five fours, seven sixes — strike rate over 195. Shades of his IPL destroyer self.
Then, the moment: Jitesh Sharma pulls off a stunner. De Kock skies one, Jitesh dives full length behind stumps — gloves it inches from turf. Hundred denied at 90. Crowd erupts, but de Kock walks off grinning. Legend move.
Honestly, that knock silenced doubters. After five low scores post-comeback, he picks India — his favorite victims — to explode. It’s like your ex showing up looking flawless at the worst (best?) time.
SA’s Late Surge: Miller and Ferreira Seal 213/4
Middle overs? India fights back. Axar Patel nabs Dewald Brevis. Score stalls around 156/3. Enter David Miller and Donovan Ferreira — unfinished business.
Ferreira smashes Bumrah for a second-tier six, Miller adds boundaries. Last five overs: 57 runs. SA ends on 213/4. India’s bowlers leak: Varun 2/29 (star), but others bleed — Hardik expensive, Arshdeep wides galore.
213 in Mullanpur? Defendable, but chasing T20 fireworks needs calm heads. SA had scripted a trap.
India’s Chase: Top-Order Meltdown and Tilak’s Lone Fight
India open aggressively — but Marco Jansen strikes. Suryakumar Yadav gone early (12 off 11). Powerplay shaky at 18/2. Then the collapse: SKY, Abhishek Sharma, others tumble. Enter Tilak Varma — 62 off ? balls, fighting like a cornered tiger.
Tilak’s sixes off George Linde? Chef’s kiss. Reverse sweep, slog sweep — pure T20 poetry. But no support. Jitesh Sharma chips in a six, but Ottneil Baartman rips through: 4/24. Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Lhuan Sipamla — all two-fors. India all out 162 in 19.1 overs.
Feels like a team picnic ruined by sudden rain. SKY’s flicky shots? Experiments backfired big time.
Key Performers: Who Shone, Who Flopped?
South Africa’s Heroes
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Quinton de Kock (90 off 46): Match-winner. Blazed back to form.
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Ottneil Baartman (4/24): Unknown quantity, nightmare for India.
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*David Miller & Donovan Ferreira (30 each)**: Late fireworks, 53 off 25 balls.
India’s Bright Spots (Few)
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Tilak Varma (62): Heart on sleeve, but stranded.
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Varun Chakravarthy (2/29): Tight lines, early strikes.
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Jitesh Sharma: That catch, plus keeping sharp.
Flops? India’s pace attack — too many wides, short balls. Top order brittle as Diwali crackers.
Tactical Blunders: India’s “Failed Experiments”
Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy under fire. Why bowl Bumrah early into wind? Why persist with Arshdeep’s wides? Top-order shuffles — Abhishek Sharma struggling, yet persisted.
Batting? Chasing 214 needs 11+ run rate. Instead, early wickets killed momentum. “Failed experiments,” as one report nailed it. SA’s Aiden Markram? Cool captaincy, rotated bowlers perfectly.
My take: India missed a power-hitter like Rinku Singh higher up. Tilak carried alone — recipe for disaster.
The Jitesh Sharma Catch: Highlight Reel Gold
Can’t skip this. De Kock on 90, skies one off Washington Sundar? Jitesh launches horizontally — full dive, low catch. Slow-mo replay? Jaw-dropping. Denied a ton, but earned respect.
Reminds me of Dhoni’s helicopter finishes, but behind stumps. WK magic at its peak.
Series Context: From 1-0 to Edge-of-Seat 1-1
First T20I? India dominated. Second? SA roars back. Five-match series now live wire — next in Johannesburg? Expect revenge cricket.
De Kock vs India: Always fireworks. His history here? Chef’s kiss. For Men in Blue, wake-up call before WC cycle heats up.
Venue Vibes: Mullanpur’s Baptism by Fire
New Chandigarh stadium — flat track, short boundaries. First big international night? SA loves it. 213 posted, chased poorly. Pitch report: True bounce early, grip later for spinners.
Crowd? Electric till de Kock sixes rained. Post-match, stunned silence.
Fan Reactions: Twitter Explodes (The Good, Bad, Ugly)
Social media meltdown:
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“De Kock > Kohli in T20 peak form!” (Bold take)
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“Tilak deserves captaincy debates now.” (Fair?)
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“Bumrah single-handedly saved face.” (True-ish)
Reddit r/cricket: “India’s chase = watching paint dry after sprint.” Humor amid pain.
My group chat? “SKY, retire those experiments bro.” Relatable rage.
What Next for India? Three Changes Needed
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Top-Order Stability: Promote Tilak, bench strugglers.
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Pace Discipline: Less wides, more yorkers.
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Spin Early: Varun model for all.
SA? Keep de Kock firing, Baartman bowling rockets. Series decider? Buckle up.
Player Stats at a Glance
South Africa Batting:
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q de Kock | 90 | 46 | 5 | 7 |
| D Ferreira | 30* | ? | – | 1+ |
| D Miller | 20* | ? | – | – |
India Bowling: Varun 2/29 standout.
India Batting:
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Tilak Varma | 62 | ? |
| Rest | Crumbled | – |
SA Bowling: Baartman 4/24, pacers ruthless.
Lessons from Mullanpur: T20 Truths
T20I cricket = momentum monster. SA grabbed it post-Powerplay, never let go. India? Lost it chasing shadows.
De Kock’s lesson: Form returns when you least expect. India’s? Experiment wisely, execute ruthlessly.
Expert nod: Markram’s leadership > SKY’s in this game. Series alive — pure cricket joy.
FAQs: IND vs SA 2nd T20I Quick Hits
Who won India vs South Africa 2nd T20I 2025?
South Africa beat India by 51 runs in Mullanpur. SA 213/4, IND 162 all out.
Quinton de Kock score in 2nd T20I?
90 off 46 balls (5×4, 7×6). Blazing knock, denied century by Jitesh catch.
India vs SA 2nd T20I scorecard?
SA: 213/4 (de Kock 90). IND: 162 (Tilak 62). Baartman 4/24 for SA.
Where was IND vs SA 2nd T20I played?
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh.
Series score after 2nd T20I?
1-1. Five-match series levelled.
Tilak Varma performance?
Top-scored 62, lone warrior in chase.
Final Take: De Kock Steals the Show, India Must Rebound
Mullanpur will remember de Kock’s blitz — a reminder T20 favors the fearless. India? Humbling lesson, but series alive. Next game? Fireworks guaranteed.
What a rollercoaster. From SA openers partying to India’s fold — cricket’s cruel beauty.
Your Turn: Who Wins the Series?
De Kock MOM or Tilak’s grit? Biggest culprit in India’s loss? Drop your hot takes below — did Jitesh’s catch save face?
Watch full highlights on official channels. Who’s your series pick? Comment now!