4th T20I: Karthik, Avesh deliver for India, set up series finale

Riding on Avesh Khan and Dinesh Karthik’s efforts with the ball and bat, India defeated South Africa by 82 runs in the fourth T20I at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot on Friday. The five-match series is now tied at 2-2. 

Chasing India’s 170-run total, South Africa managed only 87, their lowest in T20Is. For the hosts it was young pacer Avesh Khan who shined with the ball. The 25-year-old dismissed Dwaine Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj, giving 18 runs in his four-overs quota. Yuzvendra Chahal got two and Axar Patel and Harshal Patel picked one wicket each. 

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For South Africa, Rassie van der Dussen top-scored with 20 runs. 

“I am feeling really happy. It is my dad’s birthday and want to dedicate this performance to him. The plan was to bowl up and attack the stumps, it was a two-paced wicket with the ball bouncing and keeping low, so use the odd bouncer and bowl good lengths,” Avesh Khan said after the match. 

“We are playing well as a team, fielding well most importantly and bowling well, we back each other and will enjoy the last game. Yes, the winner will take the series and it is going to be a good match, we will give our 100 percent.”

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While bowlers delivered for India when it really mattered, it was Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya’s masterclass in the first innings that set up the win. 

Karthik scored his maiden fifty close to 16 years after his T20 debut and alongside vice-captain Hardik Pandya, took India to a fighting 169 for six. 

The Indians were struggling at 81 for four before a 65-run stand between Hardik (46 off 31) and Karthik (55 off 27) brought the home team back into the game. Thanks to Hardik and Karthik, India were able to amass 73 runs in the last five overs.

With the win, India have set up a series finale at the M Chinaswamy Stadium, Bangalore on Sunday.