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THE TIMES OF INDIA | Dec 11, 2025, 23:10:56 IST
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India vs South Africa, 2nd T20I Highlights: Tilak Varma’s fifty not enough as South Africa level series 1-1
India vs South Africa, 2nd T20I Highlights: The chase of 214 proved too big for India as the Men-in-Blue falter badly at New Chandigarh's Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, which hosted its first men's international game on Thursday.
The poor run of Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav continued as India’s batting unit struggled on a favourable pitch, losing the second T20I to South Africa by 51 runs on Thursday.
Quinton de Kock struck 90 off 46 balls, taking South Africa to 213 for four after India chose to bowl.
India were in contention to chase the target but fell behind early when South Africa dismissed Abhishek Sharma (17), Gill (0) and Suryakumar Yadav (5) in the powerplay. India were all out for 162 in 19.1 overs, with Tilak Varma (62 off 34) being the only batter to make a substantial contribution.
The five-match series is now level at 1-1. The third T20I will be played in Dharamsala on December 14.
The home crowd had turned up hoping for strong performances from Gill and Abhishek, but both fell early.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl in the second T20I against South Africa in New Chandigarh. India arrive in New Chandigarh for the second T20I after showing they can handle a damp night and dew in Cuttack. South Africa travel from east to north-west with no training day and need to respond quickly. India lead the recent head-to-head 6-2 but want to prepare for all situations in their nine home matches before the World Cup.
The second T20I marked the venue’s first men’s international after hosting two women’s ODIs between India and Australia earlier this year.
India playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj, and Anrich Nortje are out for South Africa. Hendricks, Baartman, and Linde make it into the XI.
South Africa playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovon Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.
See also: Cricket live score
The poor run of Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav continued as India’s batting unit struggled on a favourable pitch, losing the second T20I to South Africa by 51 runs on Thursday.
Quinton de Kock struck 90 off 46 balls, taking South Africa to 213 for four after India chose to bowl.
India were in contention to chase the target but fell behind early when South Africa dismissed Abhishek Sharma (17), Gill (0) and Suryakumar Yadav (5) in the powerplay. India were all out for 162 in 19.1 overs, with Tilak Varma (62 off 34) being the only batter to make a substantial contribution.
The five-match series is now level at 1-1. The third T20I will be played in Dharamsala on December 14.
The home crowd had turned up hoping for strong performances from Gill and Abhishek, but both fell early.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl in the second T20I against South Africa in New Chandigarh. India arrive in New Chandigarh for the second T20I after showing they can handle a damp night and dew in Cuttack. South Africa travel from east to north-west with no training day and need to respond quickly. India lead the recent head-to-head 6-2 but want to prepare for all situations in their nine home matches before the World Cup.
The second T20I marked the venue’s first men’s international after hosting two women’s ODIs between India and Australia earlier this year.
India playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj, and Anrich Nortje are out for South Africa. Hendricks, Baartman, and Linde make it into the XI.
South Africa playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovon Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.
See also: Cricket live score
18:58 (IST) Dec 11
We are all set to get underway! The crowd has turned up in big numbers here in Mullanpur for the first-ever men's international at this venue. It's a cold evening, but the energy in the stands is electric. The two umpires now make their way to the middle, and the Indian players follow right behind, fanning out to take their positions on the field. Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks are the two openers for South Africa. Arshdeep Singh has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...
18:42 (IST) Dec 11
India vs South Africa Live Score: Three changes for South Africa, India remain unchanged
India playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj, and Anrich Nortje are out for South Africa. Hendricks, Baartman and Linde make it into the XI.
South Africa playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovon Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman
Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj, and Anrich Nortje are out for South Africa. Hendricks, Baartman and Linde make it into the XI.
South Africa playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovon Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman
18:37 (IST) Dec 11
The skipper of South Africa, Aiden Markram says he would have bowled first as well. He feels it looks like a pretty good wicket to the eye. Shares that there haven’t been many international games played here, but they will look to put a good total on the board and then try to put India under pressure with the ball. Aiden adds that there are always lessons to take from nights like the previous game, but they don’t want to dwell too much on that loss. Markram admits he is not entirely sure what a good total might be on this surface, so getting off to a good start becomes crucial. Informs that they have made three changes from a rotation point of view, with Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje missing out.
18:37 (IST) Dec 11
India's captain Suryakumar Yadav says that they will bowl first. Adds that the dew has already started to settle while they were warming up. Mentions that this has been a great ground to play in franchise cricket, but a Women's international game also happened here, which was good, and he is excited as this is the first Men's international game at this ground. Says that everyone must know their responsibility and they batted really well in the last match and reckons 175 was a little above par. Tells that Hardik Pandya was brilliant and gives a nice balance to the team. Further says that the way he bowled was also important as his overs are crucial for the team. Informs that they are unchanged.
18:36 (IST) Dec 11
South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Aiden Markram (C), Reeza Hendricks (In for Tristan Stubbs), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, George Linde (In for Keshav Maharaj), Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman (In for Anrich Nortje).
18:36 (IST) Dec 11
India (Unchanged Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
18:32 (IST) Dec 11
TOSS - 'Tails' is the call from Aiden Markram, but it has come down as a head. India have elected to BOWL first.
17:59 (IST) Dec 11
India vs South Africa Live Score: Hardik Pandya close to becoming first Indian with 100 wickets, 1,000 runs in T20Is
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is one wicket short of completing 100 T20I wickets. If he takes a wicket in the second T20I against South Africa in New Chandigarh’s Mullanpur, he will become the first Indian player to reach the mark of 100 wickets and 1,000 runs in T20Is.
17:55 (IST) Dec 11
India vs South Africa Live Score: Dew factor not huge in New Chandigarh
New Chandigarh’s playing surface is less influenced by dew because the ground does not have tall stands around it. This has been seen in the IPL, where teams batting first have a 6-5 record on the ground. High totals above 200 have been defended, and even a total of 111 has been successfully protected. Fast bowlers often play a key role due to the nature of the pitch. The second T20I will give both teams a chance to understand how the surface behaves in an international match. Conditions will also influence whether teams prefer chasing or setting a target on the night.
17:17 (IST) Dec 11
India vs South Africa Live Score: New PCA Stadium hosts key opening test
The match in Mullanpur is significant not only because it is the first men’s international at the venue but also because it tests the new opening combination under home pressure. The crowd in Chandigarh has watched Gill and Abhishek dominate age-group cricket, and expectations will be high when they open the innings.
With Samson now shifted out of the middle order and Jitesh Sharma taking the wicketkeeping role, the team has made clear choices about its direction. Gill has full backing from the captain and selectors, but he also needs to ensure he does not consume too many deliveries and put extra pressure on Abhishek.
With Samson now shifted out of the middle order and Jitesh Sharma taking the wicketkeeping role, the team has made clear choices about its direction. Gill has full backing from the captain and selectors, but he also needs to ensure he does not consume too many deliveries and put extra pressure on Abhishek.
16:44 (IST) Dec 11
India vs South Africa Live Score: Samson’s role shifts as Gill returns to T20Is
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma built a strong opening partnership after the 2024 T20 World Cup, but Gill’s return to the format has changed the structure again. Team management insisted Gill had to regain the spot because of his seniority in the queue. This reasoning, however, was not applied to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was also involved in Test cricket at the same time.
With Samson moved down the order and later replaced by Jitesh Sharma, his role has shifted again. Samson is now seen as the backup opener because selectors have not named anyone else for that job. Gill, despite management’s full backing, has not produced high-impact T20I scores since the Asia Cup, and the team now needs him to settle into the anchor role without trying to match Abhishek’s strike rate.
With Samson moved down the order and later replaced by Jitesh Sharma, his role has shifted again. Samson is now seen as the backup opener because selectors have not named anyone else for that job. Gill, despite management’s full backing, has not produced high-impact T20I scores since the Asia Cup, and the team now needs him to settle into the anchor role without trying to match Abhishek’s strike rate.
16:41 (IST) Dec 11
IND vs SA Live Score: Gill-Abhishek aim to settle as opening pair
Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma return to familiar conditions in Mullanpur, where they grew up scoring runs together. When they open in the second T20I against South Africa, they carry the task of proving they can form a stable T20I partnership. The match is also the first men’s international at the venue, and the crowd will be looking for a strong start from the local players.
There has been debate about Gill reclaiming the opening role even though Sanju Samson performed well when Gill was away playing Test cricket. Captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team felt it was unfair to leave Gill out because he was ahead of Samson in the pecking order and had been made vice-captain after the T20 World Cup. Gill now needs to find consistency and avoid putting pressure on Abhishek by taking up too many balls.
There has been debate about Gill reclaiming the opening role even though Sanju Samson performed well when Gill was away playing Test cricket. Captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team felt it was unfair to leave Gill out because he was ahead of Samson in the pecking order and had been made vice-captain after the T20 World Cup. Gill now needs to find consistency and avoid putting pressure on Abhishek by taking up too many balls.
16:36 (IST) Dec 11
IND vs SA Live Score: First men’s international in New Chandigarh
The second T20I will be the first men’s international at the New Chandigarh venue, which earlier hosted two women’s ODIs between India and Australia in September. India were close to their preferred XI in Cuttack, and any change will depend on conditions.
India’s combinations will depend on conditions, with possible changes involving Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, or Harshit Rana.
If the pitch is dry, Kuldeep Yadav can come in for Arshdeep Singh, and if India want more batting depth, Harshit Rana is an option who can be handy with the willow in hand.
South Africa, despite the defeat, do not have major issues with their combination and may only bring in an allrounder for Lutho Sipamla if needed. The match gives both teams a chance to fine-tune plans before the T20 World Cup.
India’s combinations will depend on conditions, with possible changes involving Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, or Harshit Rana.
If the pitch is dry, Kuldeep Yadav can come in for Arshdeep Singh, and if India want more batting depth, Harshit Rana is an option who can be handy with the willow in hand.
South Africa, despite the defeat, do not have major issues with their combination and may only bring in an allrounder for Lutho Sipamla if needed. The match gives both teams a chance to fine-tune plans before the T20 World Cup.
16:33 (IST) Dec 11
India vs South Africa Live Score: India look to build on Cuttack win
India arrive in New Chandigarh for the second T20I after showing they can handle a damp pitch and dew in Cuttack.
South Africa travel from east to north-west with no training day and need to respond quickly. India lead the recent head-to-head 6-2 but want to prepare for all situations in their nine home matches before the World Cup.
There is a view that India are strong favourites for the home World Cup in two months, and the only way to unsettle them is through conditions or the toss. South Africa saw in Cuttack that India can still control the game even on such nights. India hold a 6-2 edge in recent T20Is against South Africa, but the team wants to respond to different situations in their nine home matches before the World Cup. The New Chandigarh game is another chance to test their plans.
South Africa travel from east to north-west with no training day and need to respond quickly. India lead the recent head-to-head 6-2 but want to prepare for all situations in their nine home matches before the World Cup.
There is a view that India are strong favourites for the home World Cup in two months, and the only way to unsettle them is through conditions or the toss. South Africa saw in Cuttack that India can still control the game even on such nights. India hold a 6-2 edge in recent T20Is against South Africa, but the team wants to respond to different situations in their nine home matches before the World Cup. The New Chandigarh game is another chance to test their plans.
16:24 (IST) Dec 11
IND vs SA Live Score 2nd T20I: Hello and welcome!
Welcome to the live coverage of the second T20I between India and South Africa in New Chandigarh. We will bring you every update from the build-up, toss, team news, pitch report, and all key moments through the match. Stay with us for live scores as India look to extend their 1-0 lead and South Africa aim to make a comeback after a crushing defeat in the first T20I in Cuttack on Tuesday.
India won the first T20I by 101 runs, handing Proteas their biggest defeat in T20 internationals. Hardik Pandya was the star for India, scoring 59 runs off just 28 balls, and then also took the crucial wicket of David Miller. Pandya won the Player of the Match award.
India won the first T20I by 101 runs, handing Proteas their biggest defeat in T20 internationals. Hardik Pandya was the star for India, scoring 59 runs off just 28 balls, and then also took the crucial wicket of David Miller. Pandya won the Player of the Match award.
South Africa defeated India by 51 runs in the second T20I at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, levelling the five-match series 1-1.
Chasing 214, the Indian innings at 162/10 in 19.1 overs, giving South Africa a decisive victory.
India's chase began on the worst possible note, losing the top three batters cheaply in the powerplay. Opener Shubman Gill was dismissed for a golden duck in the very first over by Lungi Ngidi. Abhishek Sharma (17 off 8), who had started aggressively with two sixes, and captain Suryakumar Yadav (5 off 4) were both sent back by the left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, leaving India reeling at 32/3 in the 4th over.
Tilak Varma provided some stability to the Indian chase. Partnering first with Axar Patel and then with vice-captain Hardik Pandya, Varma played a mature and aggressive knock. He stitched a crucial 35-run partnership with Axar Patel (21 off 21) before Axar was dismissed by Ottneil Baartman.
Chasing 214, the Indian innings at 162/10 in 19.1 overs, giving South Africa a decisive victory.
India's chase began on the worst possible note, losing the top three batters cheaply in the powerplay. Opener Shubman Gill was dismissed for a golden duck in the very first over by Lungi Ngidi. Abhishek Sharma (17 off 8), who had started aggressively with two sixes, and captain Suryakumar Yadav (5 off 4) were both sent back by the left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, leaving India reeling at 32/3 in the 4th over.
Tilak Varma provided some stability to the Indian chase. Partnering first with Axar Patel and then with vice-captain Hardik Pandya, Varma played a mature and aggressive knock. He stitched a crucial 35-run partnership with Axar Patel (21 off 21) before Axar was dismissed by Ottneil Baartman.
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Head to Head in T20ITotal Matches 35
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Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
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