Images from the second T20 International between India and South Africa, at the PCA's New Chandigarh Stadium, in Mullanpur.
Quinton de Kock did the star turn as South Africa trounced India by 51 runs in the second T20 International, in Mullanpur, on Thursday.
His effortless 90 off 46 balls enabled South Africa put up challenging 213 for 4 after India opted to field. In reply the home side was eventually bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs, with only Tilak Varma (62 off 34) playing a leading hand.
Ottneil Baartman was the pick of the South Africa bowlers with figures of 4 for 24.
The five-match series now stands at 1-1. The third match is in Dharamsala on December 14.
When in full flow, De Kock is among the most attractive batters in the game. He flaunted his special skills on a true pitch, mainly dealing in sixes in the middle. A majority of his seven maximums came in the deep square leg region.
Having recently reversed his ODI retirement and unsure about his T20 future post the World Cup last year, he was back with a renewed purpose and on top of his game.
An innings like this just, less than a week before the mini IPL auction, will also create the buzz among franchises, who might indulge in a bidding war for the multi-skilled cricketer.
It was a no brainer that India decided to put South Africa in to bat after winning a rare toss.
Arshdeep Singh, who had De Kock caught behind in the series opener, was at the receiving end.
The South Africa opener began the assault with a pick up shot for six off Arshdeep before pulling the left-arm pacer for a maximum over deep mid-wicket.
Jasprit Bumrah too conceded 16 runs in his second over after being disdainfully pulled for six by Reeza Hendricks.
The right-hander missed a skidder from Varun Chakravarthy in the following over to give India a welcome breakthrough, but De Kock maintained the pressure on the opposition, taking his team to 53 for 1 in the powerplay.
Brought back into the attack in 11th over, Arshdeep lost his usual calm under pressure after being smashed for a six down the ground by De Kock. The Indian pacer tried to bowl wide yorkers from thereon but failed miserably and ended up bowling as many as seven wides in an 18-run over.
De Kock looked certain to cross the 100-run mark for the second time in his T20 career but was run out in a bizarre fashion by wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma after attempting a nonexistent single.
The big hits kept coming even after De Kock's fall, with Donavan Ferreria (30 not off 16) and David Miller (20 not out off 12) doing the damage in the death overs.
Arshdeep's new ball partner Bumrah too had an off day and conceded 18 runs in the 20th over after being hammered for two towering sixes by Ferreira.
India leaked 123 runs in the last 10 overs.
India were expected to chase down the steep target, but South Africa dismissed the Indian trio of Abhishek Sharma (17), Gill (0) and Suryakumar Yadav (5) inside the powerplay to have the hosts on the backfoot.
The local crowd was expecting their home heroes, Gill and Abhishek, to fire, but it was not to be.
Yet to realise his potential in the shortest format, vice-captain Gill, facing his first delivery, got a beauty from Lungi Ngidi that seamed away from length and took a thick outside edge.
Abhshek was caught behind in the following over from Marco Jansen. Next to depart was skipper Suryakumar, who too got a faint edge after Jansen angled it away from the India skipper.
Batting at No. 3, Axar Patel (21 off 21) was pouched at cover with Reeza Hendricks, just about managing to have his fingers under the ball.
From thereon, Tilak batted at a high tempo but lack of partnerships and the soaring run rate pushed the game out of India's reach.
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