This time India won the toss and sent South Africa in to bat – a decision they would soon come to regret. The Proteas made full use of the opportunity, piling on a formidable 213/4 in their 20 overs in what was the first-ever men’s T20 International hosted at the venue.

Quinton de Kock, back in national colours after more than a year away, reminded fans exactly what they’d been missing. The wicketkeeper-batter was in an unforgiving mood, smashing 90 off just 46 balls before being brilliantly run out by India’s gloveman, Jitesh Sharma. 

De Kock’s knock – laced with five fours and a towering seven sixes - had the crowd on their feet and the Indian bowlers searching for answers.

Jitesh Sharma sharply runs Quinton de Kock out. Photo: Cricinfo

At the death, Donovan Ferreira provided the fireworks with an unbeaten 30 off 16, including three sixes and a four, while captain Aiden Markram chipped in with a steady 29 off 26. 

David Miller closed strong with 20 not out off 12. For India, spinner Varun Chakravarthy was the standout, returning tidy figures of 2/29 in his four overs.

In reply, India stumbled early as the Proteas bowlers tightened the screws. Former Knights seamer Ottniel Baartman was the chief destroyer, steaming in with precision and purpose. 

While Tilak Varma played a lone hand with a spirited 63 off 34, and Sharma with 27 off 17 and Axar Patel scoring contributed, their efforts weren’t enough to keep India in the hunt.

South Africa bowled the hosts out for 162 with five balls remaining, sealing a crucial win. Baartman finished with 4/24, while Marco Jansen bagged 2/25, Lungi Ngidi 2/26, and Lutho Sipamla 2/46.

After being named Player of the Match, De Kock reflected on his return to the international stage following his break from the game.

“Yeah, I think it was pretty easy coming back,” he said. 

“As a player and as a batsman, the transition felt simple enough because I’d been doing it quite a bit before and I knew what it took to be an international cricketer. It was really just a matter of doing it again.”

Ottniel Baartman recorded his second four-for in T20 International cricket. Photo: Cricinfo

“I didn’t change much while I was away. I know world cricket is changing, especially in the T20 game, but I felt I could still keep up with the way I play. 

“Playing in a couple of leagues around the world probably made me a bit more clever in how I approach things – different conditions, different places, different surfaces – so that definitely helped me get a better understanding of my own game.

“In international cricket you can sometimes get stuck playing the same countries over and over, but the leagues expose you to wickets you haven’t played on before. That helps when you come back.”

Lungi Ngidi takes the final wicket in the match. Photo: Cricinfo

“I just had to sharpen up my skills because international cricket is totally different – you’re playing against the best all the time. That was really it.”

The third T20 International will be played on Sunday in the breathtaking surrounds of Dharamsala, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport