IND vs SA, 2nd T20I: India look to build on Cuttack win

The match in Mullanpur is significant not only because it is the first men’s international at the venue but also because it tests the new opening combination under home pressure. The crowd in Chandigarh has watched Gill and Abhishek dominate age-group cricket, and expectations will be high when they open the innings.

With Samson now shifted out of the middle order and Jitesh Sharma taking the wicketkeeping role, the team has made clear choices about its direction. Gill has full backing from the captain and selectors, but he also needs to ensure he does not consume too many deliveries and put extra pressure on Abhishek.

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma built a strong opening partnership after the 2024 T20 World Cup, but Gill’s return to the format has changed the structure again. Team management insisted Gill had to regain the spot because of his seniority in the queue. This reasoning, however, was not applied to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was also involved in Test cricket at the same time.

With Samson moved down the order and later replaced by Jitesh Sharma, his role has shifted again. Samson is now seen as the backup opener because selectors have not named anyone else for that job. Gill, despite management’s full backing, has not produced high-impact T20I scores since the Asia Cup, and the team now needs him to settle into the anchor role without trying to match Abhishek’s strike rate.

Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma return to familiar conditions in Mullanpur, where they grew up scoring runs together. When they open in the second T20I against South Africa, they carry the task of proving they can form a stable T20I partnership. The match is also the first men’s international at the venue, and the crowd will be looking for a strong start from the local players.

There has been debate about Gill reclaiming the opening role even though Sanju Samson performed well when Gill was away playing Test cricket. Captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team felt it was unfair to leave Gill out because he was ahead of Samson in the pecking order and had been made vice-captain after the T20 World Cup. Gill now needs to find consistency and avoid putting pressure on Abhishek by taking up too many balls.

The second T20I will be the first men’s international at the New Chandigarh venue, which earlier hosted two women’s ODIs between India and Australia in September. India were close to their preferred XI in Cuttack, and any change will depend on conditions.

India’s combinations will depend on conditions, with possible changes involving Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, or Harshit Rana.

If the pitch is dry, Kuldeep Yadav can come in for Arshdeep Singh, and if India want more batting depth, Harshit Rana is an option who can be handy with the willow in hand.

South Africa, despite the defeat, do not have major issues with their combination and may only bring in an allrounder for Lutho Sipamla if needed. The match gives both teams a chance to fine-tune plans before the T20 World Cup.

India arrive in New Chandigarh for the second T20I after showing they can handle a damp pitch and dew in Cuttack.

South Africa travel from east to north-west with no training day and need to respond quickly. India lead the recent head-to-head 6-2 but want to prepare for all situations in their nine home matches before the World Cup.

There is a view that India are strong favourites for the home World Cup in two months, and the only way to unsettle them is through conditions or the toss. South Africa saw in Cuttack that India can still control the game even on such nights. India hold a 6-2 edge in recent T20Is against South Africa, but the team wants to respond to different situations in their nine home matches before the World Cup. The New Chandigarh game is another chance to test their plans.

Welcome to the live coverage of the second T20I between India and South Africa in New Chandigarh. We will bring you every update from the build-up, toss, team news, pitch report, and all key moments through the match. Stay with us for live scores as India look to extend their 1-0 lead and South Africa aim to make a comeback after a crushing defeat in the first T20I in Cuttack on Tuesday.

India won the first T20I by 101 runs, handing Proteas their biggest defeat in T20 internationals. Hardik Pandya was the star for India, scoring 59 runs off just 28 balls, and then also took the crucial wicket of David Miller. Pandya won the Player of the Match award.