‘Terrific fightback from Team India’ – Twitter goes berserk as India thrash South Africa in the fourth T20I

After winning the third T20I match of the series, India was looking to continue that momentum in today’s match against the Proteas in Rajkot. On the other hand, it was another great opportunity for Temba Bavuma and his boys to wrap up the series with one game to go in the series. Team India was expected to go with an unchanged team. On the other hand, Quinton de Kock was reportedly fine to get back a place in the playing XI.

However, South Africa won the toss again and India was asked to bat first. South Africa made three changes. Both Rabada and Parnell missed out due to injuries and hence, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen came into the team. Reeza Hendricks was replaced by a fully recovered Quinton de Kock. Like the last match, Indian fans were expecting a cracker of a start from both the openers. But, this time they failed as India was struggling with a score of 40 runs by losing three crucial wickets at 6.1 overs.

Then, Rishabh Pant tried to manage the situation but again he lost his wicket cheaply after scoring 17 runs off 23 balls. Then, Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik joined the party and their partnership took India to 169 runs by losing six wickets. Hardik scored 46 runs off 31 balls at a strike rate of 148.39 while Dinesh Karthik was the star of the show as he smashed the South African bowlers all over the park. He scored 55 runs off 27 balls with nine fours and two big sixes. From the South African perspective, Ngidi was the star bowler with two wickets in three overs by conceding 20 runs only.

In reply, South African batters never came into play as they failed to keep up with the required run rate. South African skipper Temba Bavuma was retired-out as he was unable to pick up his bat due to some pain in his elbow. After no batters were able to stitch a significant partnership as they got bundled out for only 87 runs in 16.5 overs. Van der Dussen was their highest scorer with 20 runs off 20 balls. With the ball for India, Avesh Khan had a fantastic evening as he scalped four wickets in his four overs by conceding only 18 runs at an economy of 4.5.

It was South Africa’s lowest total in T20Is against any opponent. Even, though it was India’s biggest win by runs against the Proteas in T20Is. 

Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:

https://twitter.com/Thyview/status/1537814595804405765

Terrific fightback from team India to level the series. Credit to Rishabh and Rahul Bhai for sticking with the same team throughout despite couple of losses at the start. Avesh repaid the faith and how! Super Sunday ahead! #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/jHCSUsFnNZ

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 17, 2022

https://twitter.com/ChloeAmandaB/status/1537814077728124930

https://twitter.com/sumanto120688/status/1537853342457602049

https://twitter.com/harbhajan_singh/status/1537859799966445568

https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1537843923745648640

.@DineshKarthik slams maiden #T20I fifty 16 years since debut, Twitter hails India's new finisher#CricketTwitter #INDvSA #dineshkartik https://t.co/dTd3id5VT7

— Zee News English (@ZeeNewsEnglish) June 17, 2022

https://twitter.com/unobtrusive_178/status/1537840825476198400

https://twitter.com/GodOfDeath728/status/1537851624915234816

https://twitter.com/DelhiCapitals/status/1537841296634937345

Dinesh Karthik (MOM): "It feels good to win. I've been playing for a long time. I think I am feeling very secure in the set up. Things did not go well for me in the last game but I was able to go out there and express myself. "
#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/jAAI5wNlsm

— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) June 17, 2022

India’s first ever T20i game, 2006, Opponents: SA,
Man of the match: Dinesh Kartik

India’s latest T20i game, 2022, Opponents: SA,
Man of the match: Dinesh Kartik

In a game of youngsters, an old man still shaking the opposition, 16 years apart..#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/afCMFGTyxF

— Cricketologist (@AMP86793444) June 17, 2022

From 0-2 to 2-2, terrific comeback by India in the T20 series.#INDvSA#CricketTwitterpic.twitter.com/7R0HvgbBdd

— Aadi™♣️ (@Aadi_16_) June 17, 2022

https://twitter.com/cool_rahulfan/status/1537817778798751745

https://twitter.com/StarSportsIndia/status/1537853844197105669

https://twitter.com/kiratvohli90/status/1537817487924154368

https://twitter.com/WasimJaffer14/status/1537811195083620353

Pant to Bavuma after leveling the series #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/nh48BXu18w

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 17, 2022

DK today in the first half.
And Avesh whose place was questioned after being wicketless in the first three matches.
Winning in style -Team India. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/VOJix6A8sh

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 17, 2022

https://twitter.com/cric8fanatic/status/1537850888894656512