Team India have been set a daunting target of 214 runs in the second T20I against South Africa in Mullanpar on Thursday, December 11, a total that could prove to be their highest successful run chase in the format, if they play their cards right. As things stand, their current record run chase is 209, which they achieved during the first T20I against Australia in Vizag in late 2023.
Just four days after the heart-wrenching defeat to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup Final, the two sides faced yet again in a five-match T20I series. The series opener saw the Men in Yellow smash 208-3, courtesy of Josh Inglis' stunning ton.
In reply, India began their run chase on the worst possible note as Ruturaj Gaikwad was run out for a duck in the first over itself. The trouble continued as Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed soon after. However, India recovered through a mammoth partnership between Ishan Kishan and skipper Suryakumar Yadav, with both scoring fifties.
The hosts suffered a collapse after losing a flurry of wickets in the death overs, but finisher Rinku Singh maintained his composure to hunt down the runs in the final over, which included a last-ball six. It marked the third instance that the team chased down a total above 205 in T20Is.
The Men in Blue needed a strong start to set the foundation to chase down the steep 214-run target. But, the hosts were landed early blows as Shubman Gill was dismissed for a golden duck by Lungi Ngidi, while Marco Jansen struck twice to dismiss both Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav.
At the time of writing, India are reeling at 32-3 after four overs, with the left-handed pair of Tilak Varma and Axar Patel occupying the crease.