India lead the series after a dominant opening T20I in Cuttack, where South Africa were bowled out for 74, their lowest total in the format, as India won by 101 runs. The visitors need a quick response in Mullanpur to stay in the contest.
India’s innings in Cuttack did not begin smoothly. Suryakumar Yadav fell soon after hitting a four and a six, and Shubman Gill, back from injury, lasted only two balls. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma steadied the innings, Axar Patel added useful runs, and Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 59 from 28 balls took the total to 175/6. In reply Arshdeep Singh removed Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs early, and Axar, Jasprit Bumrah, Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy and Shivam Dube all picked up wickets.
South Africa never found rhythm and, apart from Brevis’s 22, offered little resistance. They will look to de Kock, captain Aiden Markram, Stubbs and the hitters in the middle order to put things right, while Marco Jansen and the pace group look for early wickets. With India in strong form, our preview picks them again.
