India's mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy rushed through South Africa's batting order in the low-scoring second T20I at St George's Park, Gqeberha. Chakravarthy became the third Indian spinner to take a five-wicket hauls in T20Is. However, the five wickets for 17 runs went in vain as South Africa chased down the total with three wickets in hand and seven balls to spare. Chakravarthy became the first Indian to take a five-wicket haul in a losing cause in T20Is.
The previous best figures for an Indian in a losing cause in T20Is belonged to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravi bishnoi. Bhuvneshwar got four wickets for 13 runs against South Africa in 2022. Earlier this year, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi bagged four wickets for 13 runs against Zimbabwe in a losing cause.
Overall, Chakravarthy's bowling figures are best for a Test-playing nation in defeat. Otherwise, the top spot belongs to Hong Kong's Nasrulla Rana who took six wickets for 12 runs against Papua New Guinea in 2023 but still ended up on the losing side.
Chakravarthy's victims
Chakravarthy was introduced by captain Suryakumar Yadav in the sixth over. On the second delivery he knocked over South Africa captain Aiden Markram. In the next over, he got the wicket of Reeza Hendricks as well. The opener was batting on 24 off 21 balls. He was brought back into the attack in the 11th over and got the wicket of Marco Jansen who was promoted up the order.
In the last over of his quota, Chakravarthy struck twice to send Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller packing. After the 13th over, South Africa were 67 for six wickets.
Stubbs, Coetzee dominate in slog overs
After the spinners stopped operating, Suryakumar introduced pacers into the attack. Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee liked the ball coming on to their bats and scored boundaries. Meanwhile, Suryakumar opted not to use the services of left-arm spinner Axar Patel who conceded just two runs from the one over he bowled. Stubbs finished the run chase with two consecutive fours off left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. On the other end, Gerald Coetzee contributed with a crucial nine-ball 19 cameo.
ALSO READ: Mohammad Rizwan makes perfect debut as captain, leads Pakistan to series win on Australian soil after 22 years as pacers reign supreme in Perth
Surya praises Chakravarthy
After the defeat, Suryakumar lauded Chakravarthy as he said, "In a T20 game someone getting a 5-fer defending 125 and in this situation, it's incredible. He worked really hard on his game and he has been waiting for this stage, and everyone enjoyed it. Brilliant performance from him."
