Jasprit Bumrah gave India a crucial breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Quinton de Kock in the fifth T20I against South Africa at Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19. The pacer claimed de Kock’s wicket with a caught-and-bowled effort, reducing the Proteas to 120/2. The key moment came in the 11th over of South Africa’s chase.
Bumrah delivered a slower ball at yorker length, and de Kock attempted to play it off the back foot but ended up lobbing it straight to the bowler. Showing sharp reflexes, Bumrah secured the catch, celebrating enthusiastically while his Mumbai Indians (MI) teammate appeared stunned at the dismissal. You can watch the video here:
https://www.bcci.tv/bccilink/videos/6WGned2z
Significantly, Jasprit Bumrah made his return to the playing XI after sitting out the third T20I for personal reasons. Additionally, the fourth T20I in Lucknow was called off due to heavy fog.
Bumrah & Pandya Break South Africa’s Resistance, Dismiss de Kock & Brevis
Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya struck crucial blows by dismissing Quinton de Kock and Dewald Brevis, helping India regain control in the fifth T20I against South Africa. Brevis fell for 31 off 17 balls, and Varun Chakaravarthy soon picked up two wickets, removing Aiden Markram and Donovan Ferreira for 6 (4) and a golden duck, respectively.
At the time of writing, South Africa were 143/5 after 13.3 overs, with David Miller and George Linde at the crease. Earlier, India had posted 231/5 in their 20 overs, led by Tilak Varma’s 73 off 42 balls and Hardik Pandya’s 63 off 25. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson contributed 34 (21) and 37 (22), respectively.
The Proteas face consecutive T20I series defeats, having lost 1-2 to Pakistan previously. They trail India 1-2 in the current five-match series, with their only win coming in the second T20I by 51 runs. India secured victories in the first and third T20Is by 101 runs and seven wickets, maintaining an unbeaten streak in T20I series since the 2024 T20 World Cup.
India’s next assignment is a white-ball series against New Zealand, starting on January 11.
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