GQEBERHA, DEC 12  :   Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh fifties propelled India to 180/7 in 19.3 overs before rain stopped play in the second T20I against South Africa at George’s Park here on Tuesday.

Rinku looked to struggle initially, but took his time to settle down and then launched an attack against the South African bowlers, scoring an exceptional 68 not out from 39 balls with 9 boundaries and 2 sixes.

Rinku stitched a very crucial 70 runs stand in quick time along with Suryakumar to push South Africa bowlers on the backfoot. He played some delightful and trademark hits. He smacked Marco Jansen for 17 runs, Andile Phehlukwayo for 15 and Lizaad Williams for 16, a testimony of the mood he was in.

Rinku continued with his free-wheeling shots even after losing Suryakumar and managed to score his maiden T20I half-century. One of the hits shattered the window panes of the media box, making a statement how dangerous he is in death.

Aiden Markram managed to prise out Jitesh Sharma, but paid the price bowling the 19th over as Rinku took him for consecutive sixes as he tried to cover up for his pacers who weren’t exactly on song.

Suryakumar smashed 56 off 36 balls, studded with 5 boundaries and 3 sixes to put South Africa bowlers out of the contest. The skipper launched an assault after India lost openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill for duck. He stitched a vital partnership with Tilak Varma who scored 29 off 20 balls.

Tabraiz Shamsi bowled well and deceived Suryakumar in flight for a mishit. Gerald Coetzee showed his class again with two wickets off two balls before the heavens opened up.

Due to loss of time due to rain, the target has been revised to 152 in 15 overs as per DLS method, with a power-play of 5 overs.

In reply, South Africa were 67/1 in 5 with Markram and Reeza Hendrricks batting on 15 and 31, respectively.
Mathew Breetzke was run out for 16 in 7 balls with a six and a boundary, before the openers put on 41 runs for the first wicket.(UNI)