De Kock leads by example as South Africa level series with convincing win

Coming into the final match of the series after the defeat in Mohali against a Virat Kohli-inspired India, South Africa turned things around in an emphatic fashion.

India confidently started their proceedings, like they had in the second T20I. In fact, the second over of the innings, bowled by Kagiso Rabada, went for 17 runs as he took time to find his rhythm, uncharacteristically sending down three consecutive wides at the start of his spell.

Quinton de Kock, in just his second match as T20I skipper, showed proactive thinking early on, using four different bowlers for the first four overs of the Indian innings. His rotation policy reaped rewards as Beuran Hendricks, who ended with figures of 2/12 from his allotted four overs, had Rohit Sharma caught by Reeza in the slips.

That wicket brought Kohli to the crease and alongside Shikhar Dhawan and they quickly built a dangerous looking partnership with Dhawan, in particular, looking in an ominous mood. However, Dhawan's dismissal, while looking to attack Tabraiz Shamsi, changed the course of the Indian innings. After a few tight overs, India soon found themselves stuttering at 93/5, not too long after looking steady on 63/1.

The flurry of wickets allowed South Africa to exercise control over the scoring rate as India reined in their attacking intent to ensure that they would bat out the 20 overs. Rabada finished the innings superbly for the tourists, showcasing admirable resilience following his disappointing start to the day taking two wickets, those of Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya, in the final over to restrict India to a sub-par 134/9.

South Africa showed great maturity in the early stages of their run chase, knowing full well that if they kept wickets in hand they would be firm favourites to level the series. Just 19 runs were scored off the first four overs but crucially both openers, Reeza Hendricks and de Kock, remained at the crease.

De Kock then upped the ante when Navdeep Saini was introduced into the attack, hitting two of his first three deliveries into the stands. The first shot, a dismissive strike over square leg, was a real statement of intent from the Proteas skipper.

Reeza eventually fell to an outstanding catch from Kohli for 28 but at that stage, South Africa were well on top with 76/1 in 10.1 overs. De Kock batted with fine grace as he first passed 50 and then reached a career high score in T20I cricket, finishing with an unbeaten 79. Temba Bavuma wrapped up the game with a maximum, pulling Krunal Pandya into the stands to deal a nine-wicket win with 19 balls remaining.

The attention of both sides now turns to the Test leg of the tour, which starts on 2 October in Visakhapatnam.