India is set to face South Africa in the second T20I of their five-match series at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. This marks a historic occasion for the venue, as it hosts its first men’s international cricket match. India aims to secure a 2-0 lead in the series, following their dominant 101-run victory in the first T20I in Cuttack.
In the previous match, India posted 175-6 after being sent to bat, with Hardik Pandya top-scoring with 59* off 28 balls. The Indian bowling attack proved too strong for the visitors, with Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Axar Patel each taking two wickets. However, concerns remain over the form of Shubman Gill and captain Suryakumar Yadav, who are both experiencing a lean patch.
For the second T20I, India won the toss and chose to bowl first, citing the presence of dew as a factor in their decision. The team has retained the same playing XI, while South Africa has made three changes, bringing in Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, and Ottneil Baartman.
The pitch at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium appears to have a sheen, with cracks and even grass cover. According to commentators, the average winning score at the venue is around 180, and teams will need to consider the conditions when deciding whether to bat or bowl first.
The full squads for both teams have been announced, with India fielding a strong lineup and South Africa looking to bounce back from their defeat in the first match. The umpires for the match are KN Ananthapadmanabhan and Rohan Pandit, with Jayaraman Madanagopal serving as the third umpire and Richie Richardson as the match referee.
As the series progresses, India will be looking to build on their momentum and secure a strong lead, while South Africa will aim to regroup and challenge their opponents. The outcome of this match will be crucial in setting the tone for the remainder of the series. With the T20 World Cup approaching, both teams will be eager to fine-tune their strategies and gain valuable experience in different conditions.