South Africa vs India IND in SA, 4 T20Is, 2024 Full Scorecard

Full again, on off, Gerald Coetzee stays low to go down the ground. Toe-ends the shot to long on for just a single. A relief on the faces of those in the Indian camp. A mini-scare for India towards the end but Arshdeep Singh did the job for them. India win by 11 runs and take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series!

Full and angled in, at the off stump, Andile Simelane wrists it through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Andile gets it through but that won't be enough for South Africa! Arshdeep bowls a fullish delivery, on off, Andile Simelane stays deep in the crease and lofts it over cover. Three fielders converge and the deep cover fielder puts a dive to his right but fails to cut it off.

Andile Simelane is the new batter in at number 9.

OUT! LBW! What a time to get the review right! Jansen departs and takes his team's hopes with him. Arshdeep serves it very full, attacking the stumps from over the wicket, Marco Jansen gets inside the line and goes deep in the crease to help it away off his pads. Gets beaten on the inside edge and it rolls off his pads behind to short fine leg for a leg bye. A confident shout for LBW from Arshdeep but the umpire shakes his head. Has it pitched in line? Arshdeep thinks so and India take the review. The UltraEdge shows no bat and it is three reds on Ball Tracking. South Africa need 18 off 3.

Is that out? Another review for LBW. Nothing on UltraEdge and this time, the Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. OUT IT IS!

Oh dear, Tilak Varma has done some damage here while leaping and tumbling over to take the catch in the deep. He bumped his head on the ground while tumbling and a mandatory concussion test is in place for him. The physio is out to check him up. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya both converge towards Tilak to the boundary ropes to check whether he is doing fine. Tilak is back on his feet and is good to continue.

SIX! JUST OVER! And that will be FIFTY FOR JANSEN! A blinder of a knock so far from Jansen. Gets to his maiden T20 fifty and he is keeping his side alive in the chase. South Africa need 18 from 4. Arshdeep serves it full and angles it across the batter, near the tramline on off, Jansen extends his hands and gets underneath it nicely. Pumps it over the leaping Tilak Varma at deep cover for a six. Tilak banged his head on the turf while landing and he is down on the ground.

A loud shout for LBW but turned down! Arshdeep Singh is interested and SKY takes the review. Arshdeep goes searching for the yorker but dishes out a low full toss, on the pads, Gerald Coetzee goes for a swipe across the line but gets beaten on the inside edge and it brushes the front pad and then goes on to hit the back leg. The ball goes behind on the leg side and they cross over. The UltraEdge shows no bat but the Ball Tracking shows that the ball is hitting the leg stump but the impact is umpire's call.

Is that out? The TV umpire has been summoned on India's review for LBW! Gerald Coetzee swings and misses and wears on the front pad. Clear gap between bat and ball on UltraEdge. Ball Tracking shows that the impact is the umpire's call. NOT OUT!

Right then, 25 needed off the last 6 deliveries. Not a relief at all for India, as Gerald Coetzee is on strike and he too, can strike a few lusty blows. Arshdeep Singh (3-0-25-2) to bowl the final over.

FOUR! Top edge and it races away! A massive over for South Africa. 26 runs off it. It keeps them in the game. Hardik digs it in short, at the batter, Jansen tries to take the short ball on. Gets a top edge that flies over the keeper and goes for a boundary. 25 needed off the last over.

SIX! Oh, hello! Suddenly, it's game on! Back of a length, width on offer on off, Jansen hangs back and pummels it over wide long off for a biggie. 22 runs off the first 5 balls. South Africa need 29 off 7 balls.

Serves it on a good length, on off, Jansen slaps it back over the bowler's head for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Not where Jansen intended but he will take it! Slower and on a good length, around off, Jansen loses his shape as he swings a bit too hard. Gets it off the outer half of the bat towards deep backward point for a boundary. 14 runs off the first 3 balls.

SIX! It ain't over yet, says Jansen! Short and angling in at hips, Marco Jansen just helps the ball on its way and clears the deep backward square leg fence for a six. 41 needed from 10.

FOUR! Smart batting! Back of a length, slower one and on off, Jansen knows that mid on is inside the circle. Just lofts it over the man at mid on and picks up a boundary.

Another full delivery, at the stumps, Jansen drills it down to long on for one more. 8 runs and Klaasen's wicket off the over. South Africa need 51 runs from 12 balls.

Low full toss, on off, Gerald Coetzee knocks it down to long on for a single.

Gerald Coetzee is in at number 8.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Arshdeep Singh returns to the attack and gets the big fish! A body blow to South Africa! Stays over the wicket and dishes out a slower one, on a length. Keeps it away from the batter's arc, near the tramline on off, Heinrich Klaasen is made to reach out to go over the top on the off side. Slices it off the bottom part of the bat and it goes only as far as deep point where Tilak Varma settles under it and does the rest. Heinrich Klaasen perishes after a quickfire 41 off just 22. South Africa are 167/6 after 17.4 overs, needing 53 more off 14 balls.

On the fuller side, on middle, Jansen swats it in front of square on the leg side and gets to the other end.

FOUR! Streaky but South Africa will take it any which way they come! Angled across, on a good length, around off and it is the slower one, Jansen goes for a slog across the line. Gets an inside edge that dribbles to the left of the keeper and races into the fence.

Singh hurls in a yorker, on off and middle, Heinrich Klaasen takes it on the full and smears it through mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Back-to-back sixes from Jansen! A good finish to the over for South Africa. 18 runs off the over. Bishnoi errs again as he serves it right in the arc, on middle, Jansen clears his front leg and pummels it over wide long on for another six. South Africa need 59 off 18 balls.

SIX! Quality shot! Into the stands and it is taken one-handed by a man on the grassbanks! Floated up, full and around off, Jansen makes room and gets his hands through the line of the ball. Lofts it inside out over cover for a biggie.

Ravi errs as he dishes out a low full toss, on middle, Jansen lofts it back over the bowler's head for a couple of runs.

On a yorker length, around off, Marco Jansen makes room to go through the off side. Squeezes it out off the inside edge and it rolls behind the keeper.

Good effort in the field and it is Axar Patel again! Very full from Ravi, on off, Heinrich goes for a swipe across the line as he stays deep in the crease. Gets it off the inner half of the bat to the right of deep backward square leg where Axar Patel dives to his right and keeps it down to three. The third umpire is called into action for a boundary check. What needs to be looked at here is Axar's right hand touching the boundary cushions when he took the tumble. The third umpire looks at a couple of angles and he is satisfied with Axar's effort. A run saved by Axar.

Is that a boundary? Another sharp work by Axar Patel in the deep. But the TV umpire has been summoned to check whether Axar has made the contact with the boundary cushions. Several angles roll in and it is deemed that Axar has very well managed to stay contactless with the boundary while the ball in hand. Saves one for his team.

This is pushed through, full and on the pads, Marco Jansen gets inside the line to lap it fine. Gets it to the right of short fine leg and he gets called through for a quick single by Klaasen.

Angled into the pads, on a good length, Jansen tickles it down to deep fine leg for a single. 9 runs and a wicket off the over. The required run rate is now 19.25 with South Africa needing 77 runs in 24 balls.

Strategic Break! It was all about the Indian spinners pressing on the South African batters until Heinrich Klaasen launched a merciless assault against Varun Chakaravarthy. But despite of that, the asking rate is well beyond 18 rpo as we speak and with Miller in the sheds, it's a huge ask for the Proteas now. But, with Klaasen still unbeaten, and looking to tonk everything out of the park, he will still fancy his chances here. Marco Jansen joins Klaasen at number 7.

OUT! TAKEN! Superb catch from Axar Patel to end Miller's stay! Miller never really got going tonight. This is pace on and on a short of a length, on off, David Miller nails the pull as he picks the bones out of that. However, he fails to get enough elevation on it to clear the man in the deep. Axar Patel at the deep mid-wicket fence times his leap to perfection and takes it with both hands over his head. South Africa are 142/5 after 15.5 overs, needing 78 runs in 25 balls.

SIX! Miller has started the second half of the over with a biggie! Too straight from Hardik, on the pads, on a length, David Miller picks it up nicely and swats it over deep backward square leg for a six. First six of the night for Miller.

2 runs off the first 3 balls! So far, so good for Hardik and India. Can Miller change the complexion of the over in the next 3 balls? Fuller and on off, Heinrich Klaasen looks to go back over the bowler's head. Ends up dragging it towards long on as the hand comes off the bat. It goes on the bounce to Suryakumar Yadav at long on. They cross.

On the off-stump line, on a short of a length, David Miller connects this time as he drags it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ouch! That must have hurt him! David Miller is agonizing in pain as he has taken the blow right on the box. He is helped with some fluids and is now ready to continue.

Hardik comes back into the attack and starts with a dot! Goes into the wicket, at 126.9 kph, on middle and leg, David Miller swivels for the pull but gets beaten as the ball goes under his bat and hits him near the box. Miller is on his haunches!

Slows his pace does Bishnoi, flights it through the air, full and on off, David Miller leans on and taps it with soft hands to cover for a single.

FOUR LEG BYES! No chance for Jitesh Sharma the substitute to chase it down! A knee-length full toss by Ravi Bishnoi on the pads, David Miller gets no bat on it, and the ball brushes off the pads before running to the deep fine fence.

Short of a length, a deceptive googly from Bishnoi, around the off-stump. Klaasen rocks back for the pull but ends up chipping it towards long on for a single.

In the air...just short ahead of Abhishek Sharma at long off! Bishnoi bowls it full, and around off, David Miller takes a half step ahead and mistimes it over mid off for a single as Abhishek Sharma collects it on the bounce in the deep.

A low full toss on off, Heinrich Klaasen slices it to deep point for a single.

Googly, on a length on the stumps. Klaasen hangs back and tries to hit it too hard, but mistimes it to cover.

Short of a good length, on off, Heinrich Klaasen smashes it over mid off for a single to end the over. A momentum-injecting over for South Africa. 23 runs off the over. South Africa need 94 runs from 36 balls.

FOUR! SALT ON THE WOUNDS! Heinrich Klaasen taking Varun Chakaravarthy to the cleaners here and South Africa right back in the game! Varun Chakaravarthy dishes it on a good length, just outside off, Heinrich Klaasen hangs back and spanks it over the cover region for a boundary. Not at all any chance for anyone to cut that off as it is hit with immense brute force.

DROPPED! A MASSIVE, MASSIVE MOMENT IN THIS GAME! The culprit is none other than Suryakumar Yadav! Flat and just a smidge fuller in length, outside off, Heinrich Klaasen is on the back foot and smashes it flatly towards SKY at covers who spills a sitter. This could prove very costly for the Men In Blue.

SIX! STAND AND DELIVER! HEINRICH KLAASEN IN THE ZONE! Pressure right back on Varun Chakaravarthy! He drops a good-length delivery and keeps the line of attack outside off again. Heinrich Klaasen is quick to transfer his weight on the back foot and pulls it behind deep mid-wicket for a mammoth six. HAT-TRICK OF SIXES!

SIX! ON THE ROOF! Not that short in length by Varun Chakaravarthy, around off, Heinrich Klaasen transfers his weight on the back foot and pulls it behind deep mid-wicket for a monstrous six.

SIX! THAT'S OUTTA HERE! Flat, short and around off, Heinrich Klaasen weighs on the back foot and holds his shape before pulling it over long on for a huge six. That has gone way back into the stands.

1 run.

Bishnoi dishes out another googly, but the length it is too full, on the stumps, David Miller digs it out and drives it to long on for a single.

Fuller and outside off, Miller feeling the heat and tries to reverse sweep it over the keeper instead wears it on the pads.

A googly, on a flatter trajectory on middle, David Miller rocks back and punches it back to Bishnoi.

Fuller and in the block hole, Miller gets his front leg away and works it away towards deep backward square leg for a brace.

Sliding on off, on a good length, David Miller tucks it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Dragged length, on the middle and leg, David Miller rocks back and works it to deep mid-wicket for a single to retain the strike.

This one goes straight on with the arm, on a good length, just across off, David Miller is beaten on the cut shot comprehensively.

On a tight line, on middle, David Miller prods forward and steers it to short mid-wicket.

Keeps it short in length, flatter and quicker on off, Heinrich Klaasen backs away and cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Flat, quick, on the stumps, punched back to the bowler by Klaasen.

SIX! Klaasen gradually getting in his groove now. Short of a good length, around off, Heinrich Klaasen gets a good bounce around his waist height as he weighs on the back foot. Pulls it mercilessly over deep square leg for a six.

Bishnoi dishes out a googly, flat and on a good length and outside off. Miller goes for the cut but gets beaten.

FOUR! Cracked away and no chance for Tilak Varma in the deep to cut it down! Short in length, just outside off, David Miller rocks back and gets the desired width on offer. Executes the cut shot to perfection and beats the sliding Tilak Varma at deep covers for a boundary.

Drags down his length, on the off stump line, Heinrich Klaasen rocks back and hits it over Bishnoi off the toe-end for a single.

Bishnoi bowls it full and it skids through, on the stumps, keeps low again. Heinrich Klaasen goes back and looks to pull but inside edges on the pads.

Fuller and outside off, goes on with the arm with Bishnoi's bowling action, stays low and skids through. Miller stretches his hands and somehow manages to reach it and guide it towards point for a single.

Flat and quick, length ball on the pads, this is tucked off the back foot by Heinrich Klaasen to deep mid-wicket for a single.

David Miller is in at number 6. Also, Ravi Bishnoi is introduced into the attack now.

OUT! TAKEN! Varun Chakaravarthy has the last laugh! Not a wicket-taking delivery by any means but Varun will take it! Aiden Markram is absolutely livid with himself as he trudges off. A real drag down from Varun, there to be hit, around off, Aiden Markram gets on the back foot to put this away but the ball sticks in the surface. Markram ends up dragging it towards the leg side and he fails to get any sort of power behind the shot. Spoons it in the air towards deep mid-wicket where Ramandeep Singh takes the simplest of catches. Markram goes for 29 (18). At the halfway mark, South Africa are 84/4, needing 136 runs from 60 balls.

SIX! Aiden Markram goes big again! He's putting Chakaravarthy under pressure here. Varun errs in line and length as he dishes it out right in the slot, on off, Aiden Markram clears his front leg and launches it down the ground. Clears the fence with ease for six more runs.

Back of a length, just outside off, Klaasen rocks back and knocks it towards long off for a single.

Flatter and shorter, on off, Aiden Markram goes on the back foot and slaps it to deep point for a single.

SIX! In the slot and Varun Chakravarthy disappears into the stands. Fuller and slower through the air, turning away off the wicket, Markram picks him up off the hands, stays inside his crease and launches it over the long on fielder for a massive six.

This is short and on off, Aiden Markram gets on the back foot quickly and punches it to the left of the diving cover fielder for a couple of runs.

Quicker and fuller, on length, Klaasen goes on the front foot and drives it towards cover to end that eventful over.

Strategic Break! Well, the Indians are well and truly in the driving seat as we speak as they have managed to remove both the openers and Axar Patel has just got the better of the dangerous Tristan Stubbs right before the break. The spinners have managed to keep things quiet fairly as it seemingly looks like the pitch has slowed down a bit. With three men down, it gives an added responsibility to the South African skipper, Aiden Markram to bail his team out of the trouble. Heinrich Klaasen, whose bat has been very quiet this series, comes out to the middle and joins his skipper at number 5.

OUT! LBW! This looks dead straight! Tristan Stubbs walks up to Markram and decides to take the review. Darted in from around the wicket, on a nagging length, on off and middle, Tristan Stubbs goes for the reverse but the ball skids off the deck and goes under the bat to hit Stubbs near the knee roll on the front pad. UltraEdge confirms no bat and the Ball Tracking shows three reds with the ball hitting the leg stump. The pressure of dots was mounting on Stubbs and he now perishes while trying an expansive shot. South Africa are now 68/3 after 8.5 overs, needing 152 runs in 67 balls.

Fired fuller and on the off stump, goes straight on carrying the pace with it, Markram stands tall to the bounce and slaps it towards sweeper cover for a single.

A confident shout for caught behind but from Samson alone! The umpire remains unmoved. Samson has convinced Suryakumar Yadav to go for the review. This is pushed through by Axar, on a nagging length, following the batter, Aiden Markram looks to jab it away on the leg side of the back foot but the ball keeps coming into him and sneaks past the inside edge. The ball does seem to pass close to the bat and the pad. Good sharp take by Samson moving away to his left but the UltraEdge shows no bat but it did deflect off his pad. India burn a review.

A slight miscue towards mid-wicket. Shorter and quicker onto leg, goes straight on, Markram steps out and while trying to hit it towards cow corner, miscues it off the bottom towards mid-wicket for a brace.

Sees the batter backing away and Axar follows him, on a nagging length, Tristan Stubbs rocks back and slaps it down to long off for one.

Fuller on the off peg, Stubbs stands tall inside his crease and cuts it towards backward point and a slight misfield lets him come through for a single. Good last couple of quiet overs for India. 9 runs off the last 12 balls.

Gives the ball a bit of air does Varun, fuller and on off, Aiden Markram clears his front leg and looks to go down the ground. Fails to get the elevation and ends up hitting it along the ground to long on for a single.

Short and wide, outside off, turning away from the batter, Markram stands tall and slaps it towards wide long off for a brace.

This goes straight on, on a nagging length, outside off, Tristan Stubbs shuffles across and goes for a hoick across the line. Drags it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short and outside off, Stubbs cuts it towards backward point. Four dots in a row for Stubbs. Pressure mounting on him!

At 95.4 kph, on a nagging length, around off, Markram goes back and plays it in front of square on the off side for one.

Three dots in a row to end the over! Tidy stuff from Axar. This is on a nagging length, on off and middle, Stubbs hops and rides the bounce but pushes it straight to cover. Only 3 runs off the over.

This is speared in, on a nagging length, on middle, Tristan Stubbs brings out the reverse but fails to connect and wears it on the thigh pad.

A bit fuller and flatter, on off, Tristan Stubbs cuts it late but can't get it past backward point.

Quicker and shorter, on off, Aiden Markram uses the depth of the crease and pats it wide of cover for one more.

Pushed through now, short and around off, punched through covers for a single by Stubbs.

This is darted in, short and on middle, Aiden Markram hacks it across the line towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Change? Nope, Axar Patel (1-0-14-0) to continue.

FOUR! Short and punished! Varun errs in length as he drops it way too short, on off, Stubbs stands tall and cracks it through covers for another boundary. At the end of the Powerplay, South Africa are 55/2, needing 165 runs from 84 balls.

FOUR! Clever, very clever! This is looped up by Varun, fuller and on off, Stubbs gets inside the line of the ball quickly and gets down in a flash. Laps it past short fine leg for a boundary.

This is flatter and shorter, on off, Stubbs hangs back and punches it to cover.

Tristan Stubbs is in at number 4.

OUT! STUMPED! Varun Chakaravarthy gets a wicket in his first over, once again! Varun floats it up and bowls it slower through the air, on a nagging length, around off, Reeza Hendricks puts the dancing shoes on and goes for a cross-batted lofted stroke down the ground. He fails to get to the pitch of the ball and it goes under his bat. The keeper, Sanju Samson gathers it cleanly and does the rest with Hendricks nowhere in the frame. Hendricks goes for 21 (13). South Africa are now 47/2 after 5.3 overs.

Drifting in again, on a nagging length, on middle, Aiden Markram skips down the track and turns it to short fine leg for a run.

Starts off with a googly, short and around off, Aiden Markram goes on the back foot and hurriedly pushes it to backward point.

Fractionally shorter, slanting into the off-stump. Hendricks works it towards extra cover.

EDGED AND FOUR, AGAIN! But these are important runs for the hosts! Nagging length, quicker and flatter through the air, on off, Reeza Hendricks goes on the back foot and is a bit too late on the back foot punch. Gets a thick outside edge that runs through short third for a boundary.

Almost played on! Flat, quick, on middle, Aiden Markram backs away and tries to cut it away but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball runs to the cover-point region for a single.

Length ball, on the stumps. Hendricks cuts it to point and goes through for a quick single.

FOUR! Times it well this time! Short of a good length, on middle, Reeza Hendricks stays leg side of the ball and punches it through covers and beats the diving Ramandeep Singh in the deep for a boundary. A good effort in the deep by Ramandeep but in vain.

EDGED AND FOUR! Streaky but he will take it! Axar drops it short in length, just outside off, Reeza Hendricks shuffles outside leg and swings to hit it through covers but gets a healthy outside edge that runs the ball to the deep third fence.

Angling on the pads, full in length, Aiden Markram knocks it solidly to widish deep mid-wicket and hares back for the second run. Good running!

Hits back of a length, on the stumps, Reeza Hendricks steers it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Absolute screamer of a delivery! Pandya bowls a fuller-length ball, angles it into the right-hander on off, hits the seam while landing and deviates away from the batter. Reeza Hendricks is squared up and opens his body, getting beaten on the outside edge.

Fired in full and on off, Reeza Hendricks weighs on the back foot and tries to pull it too hard to the leg side. Gets it off the bottom edge back to the bowler.

Hits the deck hard does Hardik, on the stumps, Aiden Markram tucks it across to deep square leg for a single and gets off the mark.

A bit full and shaping away outside off. Hendricks drives it wide of mid off and goes through for a quick single.

The Proteas skipper, Aiden Markram comes in at number 3.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Arshdeep Singh strikes, yet again inside the Powerplay, and this is his 90th T20I wicket. This brings him level with Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the joint-second most wickets for India in T20Is. Arshdeep Singh stays over the stumps and pitches it outside off on a good length. It stays low on the bounce as well. Ryan Rickelton makes barely any foot movement and tries to punch it away from his body. Ends up getting a healthy inside edge that goes into the sticks on a couple of bounces. South Africa lose their first wicket and are 27/1 after 3.1 overs.

SIX! Three misses and Rickelton pounces this time! Short of a good length, outside off, Ryan Rickelton weighs on the back foot and pulls it behind deep square leg for a six.

Now that's an absolute ripper of a delivery! Pitched fuller in length, just over the top of off, deviating a shy bit away. Ryan Rickelton plays inside the line of the ball and it flirts past his outside edge.

Beaten again! Arshdeep bowls a length ball, outside off. It lands and nips away from the batter and also stays low on the bounce. Ryan Rickelton hops on the back foot and the ball beats the outside edge to go behind to the keeper.

Swing and a miss! Good comeback by Singh! Cramps Rickelton for room, and serves a good-length delivery, angling into the batter, on the top of middle. Ryan Rickelton gets beaten on the pull shot.

FOUR! Nice shot! Arshdeep serves it just outside off, on a hard length, Ryan Rickelton pulls it across to deep square leg for a boundary.

Good length just outside off. Ryan Rickelton taps it in front of cover-point for a quick single.

The wind has picked up, and the on-air commentators reckon that this may not be a good sign with regards to the rain.

Length delivery on the stumps. Rickelton hangs back and pushes it to cover.

IN THE AIR...AND DROPPED! Axar Patel is the culprit and he even covered the distance but shelled it in the end! Hardik bowls it fuller in length on off, Ryan Rickelton looks to smash it downtown but gets barely any timing on it. Toe-ends it high up in the night sky over mid off. The ball swirls up for an eternity and Axar Patel tracks the ball moving backward and tries to reverse cup it over his head. But, the ball burst out of his palms and two runs are taken. That should have been taken by the international standards. Well, an early reprieve for Ryan Rickelton. How costly will this prove for India?

Length ball, angling into the pads, Reeza Hendricks nudges it with soft hands to deep square leg for a single.

Short in length, on the body, Ryan Rickelton hooks it along the ground for a single at deep square leg.

WIDE! Sprays it down the leg stump line, on a good length. Ryan misses to glance it off the hips. Wide called.

FOUR! Unbothered and unfazed! Hardik serves it fuller and just outside off, Ryan Rickelton presses ahead and brings his bat down straight, hits it through the line and drives it straight down the ground for a cracking boundary.

All in readiness for the action to resume. Generally, in T20I games, we have a buffer of 60 minutes before overs start to be lost. By our estimation, we lost around 30 minutes, so we have not lost any overs here. Hardik Pandya will kickstart proceedings with the ball. Hardik to Rickelton first up. Away we go...

UPDATE - 5.28 pm GMT - The cleanup job on the deck seems to have been completed. Abhinav Mukund informs us that an inspection is due in 5 minutes. VVS Laxman, the Indian head coach for this series, has made his way out to the middle along with a member of the team management. The match officials have conveyed their observations to the Indian coach, and we should have an update regarding the restart shortly. Right then, play will resume at 5.40 pm GMT.

UPDATE - 5.22 pm GMT - It looks like a vacuum cleaner is being used on the strip right now to gather the ants that have fallen on the 22 yards. It’s a rather unusual sight, but it seems necessary to clear the area before play can resume. The ground staff is certainly doing their best to manage this unexpected disruption.

UPDATE - 5.11 pm GMT - A halt in play before the start of the 2nd over as the two umpires come together for a discussion, likely about those pesky flying ants that have been causing a nuisance since the start of the second innings. Uh oh, the players are heading off the field. We will have to wait and see how long this delay lasts. At the moment, both umpires and players have retreated to their respective sheds, while the fourth umpire is on the field, keeping an eye on things.

Length-delivery, with a gentle outswing, Ryan Rickelton gets the width on offer and square cuts it to deep point for a single to end the first over. 7 from it.

Just around the fourth stump line, on a good length, Ryan Rickelton gets behind the line of the ball and defends it to the cover-point region.

Length, across off, guided to short third for a single.

EDGED AND FOUR! Streaky but Reeza will take it any day! Arshdeep serves it way too full in length, it deviates through the air and leaves the batter outside off. Reeza Hendricks prods ahead and swings hard for an expansive cover drive but gets an outside edge. The ball flies over the gully region for a boundary at deep third.

There are quite a few flying ants swarming around SuperSport Park, occasionally buzzing right in front of the batters’ eyes. Natalie Germanos mentions that these flying ants typically appear when rain is in the area. Let’s hope that’s not the case here.

Hits the deck hard, just outside off, Ryan Rickelton rides on the bounce and punches it through cover-point for a single. He and South Africa are underway in this mouth-watering chase.

Arshdeep steams in from over the stumps with a slip in place. Starts off with an stunner of a delivery first up. Gets it to shape away from the left-hander around off, on a good length, Ryan Rickelton gets squared up and the ball beats the outside edge.

What a fantastic final over from Marco Jansen! Just 4 singles from it. Call it anti-climax of all sorts. Full and on the stumps from Marco, Axar Patel clears his front leg and swings hard but mistimes it. Inside edges it on the pads and the ball rolls to the short fine region for just a single.

Axar Patel walks in now.

OUT! RUN OUT! Jansen varies his pace and keeps the line of attack outside off, bowls it on a fuller length. Tilak Varma sits on his knee and looks to slog it away over the leg side but the lack of pace gets the better of him. He swings and misses and without seeing the ball, just charges to the other end to collect a bye. However, Heinrich Klaasen collects it cleanly on the bounce and underarms the throw into the sticks at the batter's end. Scores a direct hit and Ramandeep Singh is nowhere in the frame.

It just keeps getting better! A bumper on the back of a length, outside off, Tilak Varma swings to pull but gets no wood on it. Misses. A pricy dot ball!

Bowls it full in length, just outside off, Ramandeep Singh drags it and pulls it along the ground between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a single. So far, so good from Jansen in this final over. Just 3 singles off 3 deliveries.

A well-fired yorker outside off, Tilak Varma shovels it straight to mid off and fetches a quick single.

A slower one, around middle on a good length, Ramandeep Singh mistimes his pull shot and gets it just on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Of what could have been a six-less over, the Free Hit spoils it for Lutho Sipamla! He bowls a full toss in the channel of middle and off, Tilak Varma uses the pace of the ball and scoops it over deep fine for a six. 19 runs off the over.

Marco Jansen (3-0-24-1) will bowl the final over.

Time for the final over! Oopsie, not just yet, Sipamla has overstepped!

A well-directed yorker on off, Tilak Varma jams his bat down in time and digs it back to the bowler. Uh, oh! Lutho Sipamla has overstepped here and the umpire signals for a No Ball. FREE HIT loading...

FOUR! MAIDEN T20I HUNDRED FOR TILAK VARMA! He has done it in some style here at the SuperSport Park. Gets a huge applause from everyone in the crowd. Lutho Sipamla serves it right into the hitting arc, full and on off, Tilak Varma gets his front leg out of the way to create room and spanks it downtown for a cracking boundary.

A wide yorker outside off, Ramandeep Singh digs it out and guides it to deep backward point for a single.

FOUR! Whoa, what a cracking shot! The 200 is up for India! Lutho Sipamla bowls a fuller one, straight at the off stump line, Ramandeep Singh clears his front leg and smashes it down the ground for a boundary to the right of mid off.

SHOUTS OF CATCH IT...But not at all an easy chance for Gerald Coetzee at short third. A fuller one, around off, Ramandeep Singh throws his bat at it and swings way too hard. Loses his shape and the ball goes off the leading edge and lands behind short third for a couple of runs.

Full toss at the leg stump. Varma steps ahead and steers it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! What a way to initiate the T20I career! Simelane goes searching for a yorker but misses his mark and serves a half-volley on the middle and leg. Ramandeep finds the middle of the bat and goes down the ground for a six behind long on.

The debutant, Ramandeep Singh makes his way out to the middle.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! RIGHT INTO THE BLOCKHOLE! Andile Simelane charges in from over the stumps and smartly varies his pace. Bowls in a well-directed yorker at the stumps, Rinku Singh clears his front leg to work it across to the leg side. But, he gets a bit too early into the shot to swing his bat down. Misses to get any wood on it and the ball clatters the sticks in a flash. India lose half of their side now. Rinku Singh's struggling stay comes to an end.

Well-directed bumper outside off, Rinku Singh misses to get any bat on it.

SHOUTS OF CATCH IT! Oh, just short and wide of the mid on fielder! Andile Simelane slips in a low full toss on the stumps, Rinku Singh bends low and mistimes it in the air to the right of mid on. Aiden Markram scoots and slides to stop the ball, more than going for the catch but it evades him and runs to long on. Two taken.

A wide yorker from Simelane, outside off, Tilak Varma squeezes it out to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Smashed away! Just a hit away from a ton now! Andile Simelane slants it across off, pitches it up, outside off, Tilak Varma sits down on his knee and slogs it over mid on for a boundary. Not an ideal line and length with mid on in the circle. Tilak moves to 94.

Spears it full in length, does Jansen, on the stumps, Rinku Singh works it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a couple of quick runs to end the over. Much better over for the hosts, just 8 from it.

Jansen corrects himself with a pace-off bumper, outside off, Rinku Singh readies himself for a ramp shot but lets it go. Thinks it is a Wide but gets no response from the umpire. He is certainly not happy with it.

WIDE! Jansen misfires it way down leg, Rinku Singh misses to flick and the keeper collects it low to his right. 10th Wide ball of this innings so far.

Short in length, on the stumps, Tilak Varma gets in position quickly and pulls it along the ground for a single at deep square leg.

Speared it onto the pads, from around the stumps, Tilak Varma crouches a bit and tickles it to deep fine for a couple of runs. Gerald Coetzee slides to his left and intercepts the ball. Prevents a certain boundary.

Length-delivery around off, Rinku Singh drives it on the rise towards deep covers for a single.

WIDE! Wayward down leg, on a good length, Rinku Singh misses to pull and Wide is called.

Oh, that's some serious gas by Marco Jansen. Also gives an earful to Rinku! Short of a good length, on the body, skids through quickly. Rinku Singh is cramped up for a pull shot and wears it around his abdomen area. That will surely sting him a bit more the next morning.

FOUR! Not exactly where he intended to hit but he will take it! Gerald Coetzee fires it in, fuller and on the off stump line, Tilak Varma shuffles across to paddle it over deep fine but ends up top-edging it over the short third region. The ball dribbles on a couple of bounces into the fence. 21 runs off this over.

Short again, on the stumps, Rinku Singh is a bit early in his pull shot and top edges it to deep fine for a single.

WIDE! Sees the batter charging down the track, Gerald Coetzee bangs it into the surface, an over-the-head bumper on the body, Rinku Singh tries to get his head away from the ball and it sails over his helmet. Wide called.

Around the stumps now, full and angling on the pads, Tilak Varma flicks it to deep backward square leg for a single.

WIDE! Sprays it well outside the guideline again, Tilak Varma leaves and the umpire calls it a Wide.

WIDE! Under immense pressure here, is Gerald Coetzee! Wide across the tramline outside off, Tilak Varma leaves and the umpire stretches his arms for a Wide.

SIX! Gee, that's a beautiful stroke! Another half-volley on offer from Coetzee, on the middle and leg, Tilak Varma clears his front leg and lofts it across and over deep mid-wicket for a cracking six. Tilak, with this, moves into his 80s.

Pitched outside leg, on a fullish length, Tilak misses to flick it away and the ball brushes off the pad to the keeper. A huge appeal for LBW by Gerald Coetzee but this one is just out of excitement.

SIX! High and handsome! Coetzee bowls a genuine loosener, a friendly half-volley on the stumps, Tilak Varma gets his front foot out of the bat, swings his bat through the line and bludgeons it over the bowler's head for a huge six.

Gerald Coetzee (2-0-30-0) is brought back into the attack now. He replaces Aiden Markram.

Full and outside off, Tilak stays inside his crease and stretches his hands towards the ball which goes straight on, and guides it towards deep backward point for a single.16 runs off Maharaj's last over. He ends with figures of 4-0-36-2.

FOUR! Finds the gap once again! Tilak taking Maharaj on his last over! Floated up, full and on middle, Tilak Varma reaches out in front and nails the sweep. Hits it flat and to the left of the diving Tristan Stubbs at deep mid-wicket for four more runs.

SIX! Gets this just over the deep square leg fielder does Tilak Varma. Quicker and on leg, slightly shorter, Tilak shuffles across and picks this one uppishly towards deep square leg and it just evades the leaping fielder for a six.

FOUR! Good proactive batting! Short and wide on off, Tilak Varma goes deep in his crease and he knows there is no deep cover in place. Tilak opens up the off side and slaps it up and over extra cover for a boundary.

Bowled this one with a round arm, Rinku premeditates by stepping down the wicket, adjusts to the line immediately and slaps it towards sweeper cover for a single.

Pushed across, on a nagging length, on off, Rinku Singh plays it back to the bowler.

Strategic Break! It has been the game of two halves so far. The Powerplay was bossed by India scoring 70/1. But as soon as the restrictions lifted up, the scoring rate took a blip. The main destructor in chief for South Africa has been Keshav Maharaj who managed to remove the well settled Abhishek Sharma and the dangerous Hardik Pandya in quick successions. Meaning, the mid-overs phase has been tilted towards the Proteas as they have conceded 68 runs and have managed to take 3 wickets in the midst in the next 8 overs. However, the scoring rate remains to be around and above 10 rpo and with Tilak Varma unbeaten on 55, and Rinku Singh partnering him, India would be banking on a strong finish. Anything below 200 would be a huge pull-back from the Proteas from this position. Keshav Maharaj to continue after the break.

Fired in full and outside leg, Tilak shuffles outside leg and makes room and drives it towards cover for no run.

This is flat and short, outside off, Tilak Varma drags it from outside off and slaps it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Full and on off, Rinku goes back and works it towards deep mid wicket and picks up a single.

Was that a chance? Markram's reaction suggests so. Short and around off, Rinku Singh rocks back for the cut but the ball skids off the deck and it goes over the bat. Heinrich Klaasen stays low but the ball pops out of his gloves. The replays did seem to show that there was daylight between the bat and the ball.

Quicker one just outside off, but this one goes straight on, Tilak Varma collapses his back knee and cuts it towards deep backward point for a single.

Slanted on the pads, on a nagging length, Tilak Varma sweeps it to the left of deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Change? Yup, Aiden Markram (1-0-13-0) comes back into the attack.

Quicker on off, goes straight on with the arm, Rinku takes his front foot away and taps it standing tall towards mid wicket for no run.

Rinku Singh walks in next to bat at number 6.

OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! Or is it? Maharaj pushes it through, on a nagging length, on middle, Hardik Pandya gets down for the sweep but the ball is not that full for the shot. He fails to make any sort of contact between the ball and the bat. It goes through to hit Hardik on the crouched back leg. South Africa go up in unison and the finger is raised. Hardik Pandya takes the review straight away. As soon as he looks at the first replay on the big screen, Hardik starts walking. The UltraEdge shows no bat and it is three reds on Ball Tracking with the ball hitting the middle stump. Keshav Maharaj is making a real impact here. He has just conceded 20 runs so far in 17 balls and has two wickets to his name.

Full and onto middle, turning away, Hardik steps down the wicket and meets it softly back towards the bowler.

So nearly sneaked through! This stays low from Maharaj, on off, on a nagging length, Hardik Pandya goes on the back for the cut. Chops it down off the toe end of the bat back towards the bowler.

That's a well-made FIFTY for Tilak Varma! His third in 18 innings. Bowls it wide outside off, Tilak leans on and drags his sweep from way outside off and hits it towards cow corner. Picks up a single that brings about his half-century.

Floated up, full and on the pads, Hardik Pandya turns it wide of mid-wicket and crosses over.

Full and just outside off, Hardik readies himself for a short one but drives this one towards mid off and scampers immediately for a quick single.

Tilak backs away but Lutho holds his line, on a nagging length, at the batter, Tilak Varma pulls it to deep square leg and gets to the other end. Moves to 49 does Tilak!

Pitched in short, on off, this one comes towards the batter, Hardik gets on top of it and cuts it towards cover for a single.

Angled in, at 120.2 kph, on a length, Hardik Pandya brings his bottom hand into play and whips it a bit uppishly but well wide of mid on to his right for a couple of runs.

BEATEN! On a hard length, Hardik stays back inside his crease and looks to guide it towards deep third but misses.

FOUR! Hardik is dealing in boundaries! Lutho serves it full and straight, at the stumps, Hardik Pandya shows the full face of the bat and firms the drive down the ground. Gerald Coetzee sprints to his left from long on and puts a dive in but the ball gets past his dive for a boundary.

WIDE! Full but sprayed down leg, Hardik Pandya misses the tickle. Wide given.

Keeps it short, on off, Hardik Pandya punches it to deep cover and retains the strike with a single.

Slows it down and serves it on a nagging length, on off, Hardik Pandya winds up initially but changes his mind in the end to chop it towards backward point.

FOUR! Dropped short and Hardik is all over it in a flash. Short and outside off, Hardik waits back and cuts it past backward point and it crashes onto the boundary cushions in a flash.

Fired in, fuller and at the stumps, Hardik Pandya gets his bat out in front and pushes it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Full and hard sweep all along the ground from Pandya. Floated up on middle, Hardik stretches way forward, gets on top of the ball and sweeps it hard towards deep backward square leg where Andile Simelane lets it go through his legs and concedes a boundary.

Dropped short by Maharaj, on off, Tilak Varma hops and pulls it through deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full toss on the pads, Hardik Pandya curbs his natural instincts on this one to go big and instead taps it towards mid on to end that over.

Oh, intent straightaway from Hardik. Bangs it short and just a tad outside off. Pandya dances down the pitch, goes for a wild hoick across and gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls in front of the bowler.

Hardik Pandya is in at number 5.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Andile Simelane gets SKY and his joy knows no bounds! Another low score for the Indian skipper and India have now been reduced to 110/3. Simelane bashes it on a good length, it skids through and comes on the batter a bit more quickly than anticipated. Suryakumar Yadav is already out of his crease as he skips down the track to loft it over the off side. Ends up hitting too hard and loses his shape. Slices it in the air and it goes only as far as deep backward point where Marco Jansen does the rest by taking a comfortable catch. Suryakumar Yadav departs on 1.

An attempted yorker, on the stumps, Tilak Varma flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a comfortable single.

On a length, just outside off, this one comes in towards the batter off the wicket, Suryakumar moves towards the line of the ball and cuts it towards cover for a single.

Full and aiming on the stumps. Varma clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Floated up, outside off, Suryakumar Yadav looks to drive it towards mid off but Maharaj cuts it off with a dive.

Full on the stumps. Suryakumar Yadav pushes it back to Maharaj.

The Indian skipper, Suryakumar Yadav walks in now.

OUT! STUMPED! Clever, very clever from Keshav Maharaj as he removes the dangerous Abhishek Sharma. Seeing Sharma skipping down to the pitch of the ball, Keshav Maharaj cunningly flattens the trajectory and darts it on a fuller length, it stays a shy bit low on the bounce as well. Abhishek Sharma tries to reach out but misses as the ball goes past the inside edge. Heinrich Klaasen grabs it low to his left and does the rest. Abhishek Sharma is not even close to the popping crease and walks back to the dugout. Abhishek falls for 50 (25). India are 107/2 and the entertaining 107-run stand for the second wicket comes to an end.

Pushed across, short and around off, Tilak Varma hangs back and jabs it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Quicker, flatter, fuller, on off, Abhishek Sharma goes back, stands tall and taps it towards wide mid on for a single. This also brings up the 50 for Abhishek Sharma. A much-needed one for him as he was under the scanner regarding his form.

SIX! SHOT! 100 up for India. Abhishek greets Maharaj in style! Around the wicket. This is well tossed up outside off. Abhishek Sharma dances down to the pitch of the ball and hoists it over long on for a huge six.

Fires in a yorker on the middle, Tilak Varma gets a leading edge on the flick shot. It goes high in the air over deep backward point where the fielder settles under it and takes it over his head. It won't be a wicket as it is a Free Hit ball. Two taken.

NO BALL AND SIX! This is turning out to be a very expensive over from Coetzee! Short and outside off. Varma, on the back foot, goes all in after it and pulls it well over fine leg for a six. A late call by the umpire. No Ball and Free Hit to follow.

Coetzee keeps the line of attack onto the pads, on a hard length, Abhishek Sharma is cramped up for room to play the pull shot and wears it on the body. The ball rolls near the popping crease and the batters sharply collect a leg bye. Gerald Coetzee runs towards the ball and tries to kick the ball into the stumps at the striker's end but misses.

Bowled in on length, on leg stump, that came off on a steep bounce, Tilak Varma shuffles across and tucks it towards long leg for a single.

WIDE! Uh, oh! He will have to reload that one again! Down the leg side on a good length, Tilak Varma misses to flick it away and the keeper collects it sharply behind the sticks. Wide given.

Much fuller in length, on the middle and leg, Abhishek Sharma gets his front foot out of the way and drives it to deep cover for a single.

Short of a length, bowled slightly slower, Abhishek tries to pull it behind square but misses as the ball goes under his bat.

WIDE! Another steep bumper from Gerald Coetzee, on the bodyline, Abhishek Sharma ducks under it safely. Wide called but this time for height.

WIDE! Seeing Abhishek shuffling on the off side, Gerald bangs a bumper down leg, Abhishek Sharma swings hard for a pull but misses. Wide called.

Coetzee bashes it on a good length, but onto the pads, Tilak Varma nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Strategic break! India have made a solid start here, despite an early setback with Sanju Samson departing for a second consecutive duck. Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma have come out swinging, putting pressure on the Proteas. The pace-on deliveries have been dispatched all over the park, while the slower balls have proven trickier to hit. South Africa's bowlers will need to stick with those variations on this belter of a wicket if they want to curb the scoring rate. Gerald Coetzee returns to the attack, replacing Lutho Sipamla. Coetzee went for 15 in the only over he has bowled so far.

Darted in, flatter on a length, at the stumps, Abhishek Sharma stands tall and hits it back to the bowler. End of another eventful over, India currently bossing up the proceedings. 13 from Markram's first over.

Quick, full and on the stumps, Tilak Varma works it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Innovative and effective! Markram stretches his length, goes fuller and around off, Tilak Varma reads the length early and switch-hits it over deep backward point for a six. South African skipper under pressure here.

Flat, length, outside off, Abhishek Sharma lofts it over the bowler's head for a single.

FOUR! Abhishek is no mood to stay quiet! Length-delivery, around off, Abhishek Sharma steps out and flat-bats it over covers for a cracking boundary.

Markram begins from around the stumps, length ball on off, Tilak Varma stays back and cuts it through cover-point for a single.

First look at spin as Aiden Markram brings himself into the attack.

Another yorker on middle, Abhishek Sharma skips out but only manages to dig it out back to the bowler. End of the Powerplay and India are off to a flier, 70/1.

Angles it onto the pads on the leg stump line, Tilak Varma tries to play the wild hook behind square but is beaten all ends up and wears it just near the box. The ball rolls near the strip but the batters cross for a leg bye.

Good comeback! Nails a yorker on the stumps, does Sipamla, Abhishek Sharma just about squeezes it out to cover for a quick single.

SIX! CRACKED AWAY! Half-tracker from Lutho, on the middle, Abhishek Sharma steps out and makes room to access the off side, swings hard and goes airborne over covers. Deposits it on the grassbanks for a huge six.

Back of a length, over the top of middle, Tilak Varma punches it to cover-point for a single.

Sipamla continues for his second over. Bowls it fuller and on off, Abhishek Sharma throws kitchen-sink at it to bludgeon it over cover but slices it in the air, to deep third for a single.

Andile bowls a well-executed slower bumper, on off, Tilak Varma is early into the pull shot and connects with thin air. 18 runs off Andile's first over.

FOUR! Gets it through! Andile goes searching for another yorker, on middle, Tilak Varma takes it on the full and drives it to the right of the diving mid on fielder for a boundary.

The yorker is nailed now by Andile, on middle, Abhishek Sharma digs it out to mid on and crosses over.

SIX! Two in two for Abhishek but this is even better! Andile serves it on a good length, around middle and leg, Abhishek Sharma makes room for himself by staying leg side of the ball and takes a couple of steps down the track. Thumps it over cover for six more runs. The 50 comes up for India.

SIX! Into the crowd! Andile goes short, around the left shoulder of the batter, Abhishek Sharma gets inside the line of the ball and pulls it way over the deep fine leg fence for a six.

On a hard length from over the wicket, on middle, Tilak Varma rides the bounce and pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

Andile Simelane is brought into the attack now. He replaces Marco Jansen.

Nicely bowled! Lutho rolls his fingers over the ball as he serves the off-cutter, going across the batter, on a back of a length, around off, Abhishek Sharma gets down the track and looks to go over the top on the off side but gets deceived by the slower one and he fails to connect. Good comeback by Lutho after conceding a boundary on the 2nd ball.

Another off-pace delivery, on a back of a length, on middle, Tilak Varma gets inside the line of the ball and helps it down to deep fine leg for one.

Lands it on a good length, on off, Abhishek Sharma runs it down to deep third and gets to the other end.

Quick single taken! Slower and on a back of a length, on off, Tilak Varma skips down the track and drags it towards wide mid on and sets off for a run. The fielder fails to pick it up cleanly, allowing Tilak to make his ground at the bowling end safely.

FOUR! A good effort from Jansen but in vain! This is on a short of a length, on middle and leg, Tilak Varma swivels and rolls his wrists to smear it behind square on the leg side. It goes towards deep backward square leg where Marco Jansen sprints and slides to his left but the ball deflects off his hand and trickles into the fence.

Sipamla begins with a full delivery, on middle, Tilak Varma wrists it along the ground but straight to mid-wicket.

Miscued but safe! Pace taken off by Jansen, on a back of a length, on middle and leg, Tilak Varma swivels for the pull but is unable to get the shot away. Gets a bit of a top edge but it lands well wide of the keeper to his right. They cross.

Well bowled! Jansen spots the batter moving to the leg side and he follows him. On a good length, Tilak Varma is cramped up for room and adjusts by pushing it to cover.

Halt! A mandatory concussion test is in place for Tilak Varma. The physio from the Indian camp rushes in to attend the southpaw. He is checked thoroughly, and Tilak is fine to continue.

FOUR LEG BYES! Some serious wheels from Jansen! Bends his back and slips in a sharp and quick bumper that keeps climbing on its way to the batter. Tilak Varma tries to take the short ball on but the ball flies over his bat and pings him on the helmet. The ball lobs over the keeper and races down to the deep fine leg fence.

Angled in, on a nagging length, on middle and leg, Tilak Varma nudges it from the crease to mid-wicket.

Drags the length back and gets it around off, Abhishek Sharma hops and gets on top of it. Dabs it wide of backward point for one more.

Jansen gets the yorker in, on off, Tilak Varma is unable to get underneath it and can only knock it towards mid on for a single.

NO BALL! Jansen hurls it in the channel on off and gets the ball to nibble away off the deck, on off, Tilak Varma has a feel for the delivery as the ball zips past the outside edge. Jansen has overstepped. Free Hit coming up.

The leg umpire informs Abhishek Sharma that the DRS is down at the moment.

Play and a miss! Angled across, on a good length, Abhishek Sharma fiddles at the away-going delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge. An expensive first over from Coetzee, 15 runs off it!

FOUR! Too full and Abhishek puts it away! Coetzee errs in length and serves it on off, Abhishek Sharma stays low to make the connection and nails the drive through covers for a boundary.

SIX! WOW! Cracking shot! Coetzee continues to bang it into the deck, on middle and leg, Abhishek Sharma puts the dancing shoes on but stays leg side of the ball. Gets his hands through the line of the ball and flays it flat and over the deep point fence for a six.

WIDE! Dug in short by Coetzee but it is too high and it sails over the batter's head for a wide.

Closer to the off-stump line, on a shortish length, Abhishek Sharma steers it off the back foot towards backward point.

FOUR! Abhishek Sharma is up and running! Gerald bashes the hard length, around off, Abhishek Sharma waits on the back foot and rises with the bounce. Rolls his wrists on the ball to pull it through mid-wicket for his first boundary.

Swing and a miss! Coetzee charges in from over the wicket and gets the ball to go across the batter, on a short of a length, Abhishek Sharma shimmies down the track and makes room to go big on the off side but connects with thin air.

Pace from the other end as well? Certainly, Gerald Coetzee to share the attack from the far end.

Angling back into the left-hander, on a good length, Tilak Varma stays back and turns it past square leg for a couple of runs. End of an eventful first over.

SIX! Tilak Varma goes all the way this time! Shaping away from the left-hander, on a back of a length, outside off, Tilak Varma skips down the track and throws his hands at the delivery. Slices it up and over backward point and clears the fence for the first six of the game.

FOUR! Tilak Varma cashes in on the width and he is underway! Short and wide on off, there to be put away, Tilak Varma hangs back and frees his arms to cut it past backward point for a boundary.

In and around the off-stump line, on a short of a length, Tilak Varma gets on top of the bounce and stabs it down on the off side.

Tilak Varma walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Marco Jansen gets Samson for the second time in a row in this series. Cricket is a great leveller, isn't it? A hundred in the first game and now, two ducks in a row for Samson. Jansen angles it across the batter, on a back of a length, around off, Sanju Samson hops to get on top of the bounce but the ball skids off the deck and comes onto Samson quicker than he expected. It stays low as well as it scoots under the vertical bat of Samson and pegs the off stump back.

Starts from over the wicket does Jansen and hits the hard length, at the hips, Sanju Samson nudges it to the right of mid-wicket where Keshav Maharaj puts in a sliding stop to prevent the single.

All done with the pre-match formalities and it is now game time! Clear skies and bright sunny conditions greet the two umpires who make their way out to the middle. The South African players take their respective fielding positions. And it will be the duo of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson to open the innings for India. Marco Jansen has the new ball in his hand and will begin the proceedings for South Africa. The countdown goes off, and here we go...

We are just a few moments away from the action to commence at the SuperSport Park. But before that, the two sets of players line up for the respective national anthems. It will be India's first, followed by South Africa's national anthem.

The captain of India, Suryakumar Yadav says that they were actually looking to bat first. Mentions that this looks like a good wicket and they have done well in putting runs on the board and then defending it. Shares that the talk has been about going out there and playing with freedom. Adds that as a player, it is important to be clear in your mind and with your skill set. Tells that his boys have played a lot of T20 cricket and they know what to do, making his job as a captain easier. Informs that Ramandeep Singh makes his debut and he comes in for Avesh Khan.

The captain of South Africa, Aiden Markram says it looks like a pretty good wicket and reckons that the ball will come on well under the lights. Says they haven't batted at their best but still managed to get over the line which is a big positive for them. Says it is all about spending time in the middle. Adds that they need to find the rhythm and says they will back the players to do well. Informs one change - Nqabayomzi Peter is out and Lutho Sipamla comes in for him.

India (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh (On debut) (In for Avesh Khan), Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla (In for Nqabayomzi Peter).

TOSS - South Africa have won the flip of the coin and they will BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Shaun Pollock and Ashwell Prince are inspecting the Centurion deck. Pollock starts by saying that there was a huge storm that came through but right now, it is shining bright. Ashwell mentions that the pitch looks like an absolute belter as it is usual to its characteristics of the SuperSport Park. Prince says that it looks a bit dry from the batting point of view. Also reckons that the spinners might enjoy the action later on. Pollock adds that there are a few jigsaw puzzles when you move to the middle of the pitch and mentions that it may have a variable bounce on offer for the seamers as well. Says that in general, if you play at the SuperSport Park, it genuinely is a wicket much suitable for the batters and the teams love chasing at this venue. He also informs that one of the reasons why scoring here is easy is because of the boundary dimensions which are 64 meters and 59 meters at either square. Ends by saying that there will be more runs as compared to a low-scoring contest at Gqeberha.

DEBUT ALERT - Ramandeep Singh has been handed his maiden T20I cap by Hardik Pandya. The Indian all-rounder has showcased his potential in the Indian T20 League and at the recent Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Oman. With Ramandeep’s debut, the big question now is - who does he replace in the Indian team?

India, meanwhile, showed their bowling mettle in Gqeberha, nearly defending a below-par score. Their batting depth, however, will be a point of focus with their tail starting from number 8 proving thin in the last two games while South Africa’s line-up showed more muscle, with Coetzee coming in at number 9. The tourists might look to address this by giving all-rounder Ramandeep Singh his debut. With the series lead on the line, expect both teams to bring the fire tonight. Buckle up, this one promises to be a cracker. Toss and team news coming up shortly!

In the second T20I, South Africa showed resilience, bouncing back from their rough opening loss in Durban. Despite chasing a modest target of 125, they almost stumbled before Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee held their nerve to see them through in a tense finish. The spin troubles persisted for the hosts, and India were left regretting not pressing the advantage with Axar Patel, who bowled just one over. For South Africa, big names like Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller will need to step up in this critical game.

Hello, one and all! We are right in the thick of it as South Africa and India gear up for the pivotal third T20I at SuperSport Park in Centurion. With the four-match series locked at 1-1, this match is all about gaining the upper hand, as the winner here will secure an unassailable lead. 

... MATCH DAY ...