India vs South Africa: 5th T20I abandoned due to rain, series tied at 2-2

The fifth and final T20I of the series between India and South Africa was abandoned due to rain with only 3.3 overs of play possible. The series finished at level 2-2. 

The T20I in Bangalore’s M Chinaswammy Stadium was going to decide the result of the series. After four games, both India and South Africa had won two each. However, rain played a spoilsport.

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Protea skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bowl. A  steady downpour delayed the game by 50 minutes. It started raining just when the game was about to start.

The curtailed match did start at 7:50PM but was called off after only 16 minutes of play in which India managed 28 runs for the loss of two wickets.

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Lungi Ngidi got both the wickets of Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad with a couple of slower deliveries.

Kishan hit two sixes off Kehsav Maharaj’s opening over but was undone by a loopy slower delivery from Ngidi as he committed to the shot early and played all over it.

Gaikwad also failed to pick up a slower delivery and was holed out at mid-on before the heavens opened up again to stop the series decider.

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India were 0-2 down in the series when they reached Visakhapatnam. However, Rishabh Pant and co bounced back with two consecutive wins and started the fifth T20I as favourites. 

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“There are a lot of positives. The way the team showed character from 0-2 down was a huge positive. We are in a nice spot as we are finding different ways to win the game. I can only think about giving my 100% as a player and captain. It is for you guys to decide on how I am doing as a player and captain, I can only focus on giving my 100%,” Indian skipper Rishabh Pant said after the game.