In the fourth of the five-match T20I series, India defeated South Africa by 82 runs. After faltering early on, the Indian batting was resurrected by the brilliance of Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik. Following that, the bowlers delivered a flawless performance, convincingly defending the score. With this victory, Rishabh Pant's team equalised the series at 2-2.
South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first in Rajkot. The Indian batters got off to a shaky start, losing a few early wickets. Rutaraj Gaikwad (five) and Shreyas Iyer (four) both fell during the powerplay. In the first six overs, the side scored 40 runs. Ishan Kishan (27) was also dismissed immediately after the powerplay by Anrich Nortje. With Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant in the middle, India slowed dramatically.
They tried to hold the wicket for a while, adding 41 runs to the partnership. However, Pant (17) was dismissed in the 13th when they tried to attack the bowlers. Dinesh Karthik came in next and played a fantastic game with Hardik Pandya. Both tried to get some fast runs by attacking the bowlers. They scored 65 runs in 33 balls before Pandya (46) was dismissed. Karthik, on the other hand, smashed a six to complete his first T20I half-century. He knocked in 55 runs in just 27 balls to help the team score 169 runs in the first inning.
South Africa also got off to a slow start in the chase. Temba Bavuma was injured during the powerplay, and two more wickets fell during this time. In the first six overs, they scored 35 runs. They were also unable to build any more partnerships following that. The batters were troubled and put under pressure because of the inconsistent bounce.
South Africa's wickets continued to tumble, and their in-form batters were unable to help them either. Avesh Khan was the bowling attack's pick, returning 18/4 in his spell. Yuzvendra Chahal grabbed two wickets, with Harshal Patel and Axar Patel both taking one. South Africa was bowled out for 87 runs in the 17th over. The series' result will now be decided in the last match in Bangalore.
Here are the top Memes of the game
RishabhPant this series as a batter 🚶🥹#AgnipathScheme #MessiahOfHumanity #engvsned #अग्निवीर #Jailer #INDvSA #RishabhPant #Pant #Thalaivar169 #DineshKarthik @RishabhPant17 pic.twitter.com/j3cyg1ReKR
— JustSaD_Ganjan🙃 𓃵 (@____Prat) June 18, 2022
Pant to bavama after win the match🔥@BCCI@ICC#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/UxoD7gseaE
— HR (@HarshRibadiya1) June 18, 2022
One of the greatest comeback in cricket history by Dinesh Karthik.#DineshKarthik#INDvsSA #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/tPWdCZzEJW
— Cricket Addictor (@AbdullahNeaz) June 17, 2022
DK 🔥🔥🔥 @DineshKarthik #DineshKarthik #INDvsSA #INDvSA #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/yx7TLXCYfv
— Cricket Clue (@cricketcluein) June 18, 2022
DK to hardik right now #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/SKexPi0FvE
— Dharmendra Prajapati (@Dharmen52758722) June 18, 2022
Captain Pant🤝 Captain Bavuma carrying Academy single handedly 🥵💥 #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/oo1QZap5HO
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) June 17, 2022
Dinesh Karthik after scoring maiden T20I fifty at the age of 37. 🔥🔥#INDvSA #DineshKarthik pic.twitter.com/VdZEQVqHMX
— 𝓥𝓲𝓬𝓴𝔂 (@CricketBlog38) June 17, 2022
DK today in the first half.
And Avesh whose place was questioned after being wicketless in the first three matches.
Winning in style -Team India. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/VOJix6A8sh— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 17, 2022
Pant to Bavuma after leveling the series #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/nh48BXu18w
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 17, 2022
DK to Hardik right now 😉 #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/Q6C4wdpvRX
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 17, 2022