A maiden half-century by Heinrich Klaasen and an excellent finishing job by JP Duminy paved the way for the Proteas to level the T20I series 1-1 against India after a six-wicket win at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday.
Chasing a tough 189 for victory, the hosts reached their target with eight deliveries to spare and in the process ensured that Saturday’s final match of the tour will decide the outcome of the three-match series.
Klaasen and Duminy were key to ensuring that their side avoided too many bumps along the way in wet conditions on the Highveld, with the former blasting a fearless 69 off 30 balls (3 fours, 7 sixes) and the latter completing the job with an unbeaten 64 off 40 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes).
Earlier, a career-best 79 not out (48 balls, 6 fours, 3 sixes) by Manish Pandey and a dazzling 52 (28 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) by MS Dhoni helped India end with a flourish as the pair added an unbroken 98 for the fifth wicket.
Junior Dala was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas.
Here is how Twitter reacted to SA’s win over India in 2nd T20I:
https://twitter.com/danevn81/status/966420035999805441
Great character shown by a young protea team.well batted @jpduminy21 and @Heini22 .enjoyed @JDala3 bowling aswell.bring on the series decider 🇿🇦🔥
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) February 21, 2018
Let’s not forget @jpduminy21 and @fudgie11 closing the game out under big pressure 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Well done Proteas! Massive game up next.
— Mark Boucher (@markb46) February 21, 2018
Bhaiya, Klaasen ne to class le layi aaj . Chakke pe Chakka
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 21, 2018
What. A. Chase. No pressure whatsoever. South Africa level the series in style. A thriller of a decider awaits. #SAvIND 🦁
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) February 21, 2018
South Africa have found quite a player in Klaasen
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 21, 2018
Brute power, ice cool temperament, hit good balls for sixes, seems to play spin well, Heinrich Klaasen is a real find for SA.#INDvsSAt20
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 21, 2018
First win for south africa in green jersey on this tour and they level the series…
Decider: Saturday
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) February 21, 2018
Heinrich Klaasen vs Yuzvendra Chahal: (All formats)
Runs – 110
Balls – 74
Dismissals – 1
S/R – 148.65
Fours – 6
Sixes – 8#SAvIND— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) February 21, 2018
Heinrich Klaasen is the find of the summer. Time to do away with "finishers" who offer nothing more than "he can be dangerous on his day" quips from commentators.
— siv (@sivbreak) February 21, 2018
Back to back sixes to win the game. Woah Duminy!
Welcome victory for South Africa #SAvIND— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) February 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/CobrasCricket/status/966393750787371010
Victory!!!!! Protea fire 🔥
JP Duminy and Klaasen stand out
1-1 in the series, it’s game on in CT
— Andile Ncube (@AndileNcube) February 21, 2018
When Duminy's playing through, you know you have little chance.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 21, 2018