IND vs SA | Bhuvneshwar Kumar claims record spell amidst heavy defeat at Cuttack

A depleted Indian side, under interim captain Rishabh Pant, lost the second T20I to South Africa. Remarkably, the tourists put forth a second successive run-chase special to go 2-0 north in the five-match series. Last-minute addition Heinrich Klaasen was adjudged as the ‘Player of the Match’ for his rebellious 81.

Indian speedster Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s sublime opening gambit rocked the South African top order. He dismissed opener Reeza Hendricks, number 3 batter Dwaine Pretorius and first T20I’s game-changer Rassie van der Dussen within the first six overs of the visitor’s response. Later, the veteran returned to clean up Wayne Parnell just before the South Africans struck the finishing blow.

Kumar conceded just 13 runs in his four overs and picked up four wickets. However, his regal bowling spell was tendered red-herring in the context of the match as the visitors chased down India’s 148-6 with 10 balls to spare.

Notably, the 32-year-old has landed himself in the record books. The Uttar Pradesh-based cricketer now holds the best T20I bowling figures for an Indian bowler in a losing cause. Interestingly, he also held the previous record when he picked 3-9 against Pakistan in his first-ever international match back in 2012.

Rahul Chahar’s effort of 3-15 against Sri Lanka last year, followed by Jasprit Bumrah’s 3-16 against Australia back in 2019, remain the third and fourth best bowling figure for India in a T20I defeat.

Returning to business, the Rishabh Pant-led India will face the Proteas in the third match of the series on June 14 in Vishakhapatnam. The hosts must win all the remaining games to keep the series alive.