It has been three weeks since the conclusion of the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans (GT) lifted the precious trophy defeating Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the final, in Ahmedabad. However, the craze of the Indian league and the fandom of its franchises don’t seem to be settled down yet.
On Friday (June 17), it was the fourth contest of the India versus South Africa T20I series, in Rajkot, where the crowd was chanting ‘CSK’ during the game. In response, the franchise, via Twitter, wrote: “Do we hear CSK… CSK…! #Yellove from Rajkot”.
Quotes il katharubavargalukkaga 🤗💛pic.twitter.com/XYPGSJxofB https://t.co/iPV6rHfyyt
— Deena (@myself_deena) June 17, 2022
India level the series 2-2 beating SA by 82 runs
Meanwhile, it was a must-win game for India, after losing the first two encounters of the series. Aided by the openers Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, India made a stronger comeback and won the third derby, in Visakhapatanam.
Rishabh Pant and co. then, gave it all in the fourth encounter. Batting first, the Indian top-order collapsed against the Proteas bowling line-up, again. It was Dinesh Karthik, the man of comebacks, who aided his side, to put on a fighting total of 169.
Clinical win for #TeamIndia in Rajkot! 👏 👏
The @RishabhPant17-led unit beat South Africa by 82 runs to level the series 2-2. 🙌 🙌
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/9Mx4DQmACq #INDvSA | @Paytm pic.twitter.com/fyNIlEOJWl
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 17, 2022
Karthik scored 55 runs in just 27 deliveries, with nine fours and a couple of sixes. Karthik built a vital partnership of 65 runs with Hardik Pandya, who scored 46 runs off 31 deliveries, with three fours and as many sixes. For South Africa (SA), Lungi Ngidi finished his spell with a couple of wickets.
In reply, the SA batters couldn’t sustain for long, against the Indian bowling lineup, overall. It was Avesh Khan, who turned out to be a nightmare for SA batters, as the 25-year-old captured 4 wickets, at an economy of 4.50. Chahal too, picked two wickets, at an economy of 5.25.
Middle-order batter Rassie van der Dussen was the highest run-scorer for the visitors, as India bowled the opponents out for merely 87 runs. While Dussen scored 20 runs off 20 deliveries. India won the contest by a huge margin of 82 runs.
Rishabh Pant and co. will now face SA on Sunday night (June 19), in Bengaluru, in the series decider.
Written By Prachi Pisal
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