Ruthless India cruise to 2-1 lead

A disciplined bowling effort set up India's comprehensive seven-wicket victory against South Africa in Dharamsala, securing a 2-1 series lead. Put in to bat, South Africa were restricted to 117, with captain Aiden Markram's fighting 61 the only notable resistance. Abhishek Sharma's early fireworks helped India complete the chase with more than four overs to spare.

India deployed six bowlers, all of whom took wickets. Arshdeep Singh struck in the first over, dismissing Reeza Hendricks LBW via DRS. This wicket made Arshdeep the Indian bowler with the most PowerPlay wickets in T20Is (48). Harshit Rana trapped Quinton de Kock LBW and bowled Dewald Brevis in his next over, reaching 50 T20I wickets. South Africa were 25/3 after the PowerPlay.

Hardik Pandya entered the record books after the PowerPlay, having Tristan Stubbs caught behind for his 100th T20I wicket. He is now the only seamer with the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in T20Is.

At 44/4 by the halfway mark, South Africa struggled to build partnerships. Shivam Dube dismissed Corbin Bosch with his first ball. Varun Chakravarthy then became the second-quickest Indian to 50 T20I wickets, cleaning up Donovan Ferreira. Chakravarthy also bowled Marco Jansen. Markram tried to accelerate, smashing 19 runs in a Rana over, but was eventually dismissed by Arshdeep Singh for a 46-ball 61. Kuldeep Yadav wrapped up the innings with two wickets in the final over.

In the chase, Abhishek Sharma launched an immediate assault, pulling Lungi Ngidi for a six on the first ball. He hit two more boundaries in a 16-run opening over and took on Marco Jansen in the second. He brought up India's fifty in just 4.1 overs before holing out in the final PowerPlay over.

India had already ticked off more than half the target. Shubman Gill was bowled by Jansen after a slow period. Captain Suryakumar Yadav hit back-to-back fours but was caught in the deep off Ngidi after scoring 12 off 11 balls.

Shivam Dube arrived with just nine runs needed and sealed the victory with a six and a boundary.

Brief scores: South Africa 117 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 61; Varun Chakravarthy 2-11, Arshdeep Singh 2-13) lost to India 120/3 in 15.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 35, Shubman Gill 28; Corbin Bosch 1-18) by 7 wickets.