IND vs SA: Dinesh Karthik, Avesh Khan star as India manage to draw level to take T20I series to decider

IND vs SA, 4th T20I: Team India, on Friday, defeated South Africa by 82 runs at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.

India, on Friday, June 17, defeated South Africa by 82 runs in the fourth and penultimate match of the T20I series at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. The victory also helped them draw level in the five-match series.

After being put into bat first, the Men in Blue found themselves in a lot of trouble. They were reduced to 81/4 in 12.5 overs and at that point in time, it seemed that India would do well if they reached the 150-run mark.

However, Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik restored sanity to proceedings with a 65-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Pandya looked ominous in his stroke-play, having scored 46 runs off 31 balls with three fours and as many sixes.

But it was Dinesh Karthik’s 27-ball knock of 55, laced with nine fours and two sixes that gave the Indian innings a finishing kick. The veteran became the oldest batter to notch a T20I fifty off 26 balls. He is also the only active member of the team that played in India’s inaugural T20I against South Africa back in 2006.

For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets. Marco Jansen, Dwaine Pretorius, Anrich Nortje and Keshav Maharaj picked up one wicket apiece.

The Proteas were jolted by an early blow after Temba Bavuma had to retire hurt due to an injury. From there on, the visitors could find no sort of momentum whatsoever. Barring Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Jansen, none of the South African batters got into double digits.

Van der Dussen top-scored with a run-a-ball 20 before Avesh Khan accounted for his wicket. Avesh was the standout bowler for India, finishing with a spell of 4-0-18-4.