In the second T20I match against Team India, South Africa emerged victorious by 51 runs at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in Punjab.
During the match, South Africa`s veteran opening batsman, Quinton de Kock, showcased an explosive batting approach. Facing just 46 deliveries, the left-hander smashed 90 runs, which was laced with five boundaries and seven maximums.
Against the “Men in Blue”, de Kock has garnered 1914 runs in 43 matches with an average of 40.72. He also has eight centuries with a top score of 135 runs.
Speaking about his knock, Johannesburg-born cricketer said that he tries to make it count, once he gets the elevated start.
“It is just happening, low and high scores. When I do get going, I try and make it count. I think it is because we play each other so many times, and on good wickets. Arshdeep`s (Singh) got me out plenty of times. It was just a technical thing to be aware of, and then play naturally,” he said.
Quinton de Kock`s statistics against Team India in T20 Internationals
In the shortest format of the game, de Kock has accumulated 441 runs in 12 innings with an average of 44.10. His career best score against the “Men in Blue” is 90 runs with a strike rate of 146.51 and five half-centuries.
Further speaking about the pitch, he said that it was just a matter of holding on to it along with Aiden Markram.
“It was just a matter of me and skipper Aiden Markram holding on and then building a stand. When India batted, it went the other way – two paced with more pace. That was the difference,” said the 32-year-old cricketer.
He was also named the “Player of the Match” award for his explosive innings. Currently, the five-match T20I series is tied at 1-1. Both teams will look to take an edge in the contest, which serves as a preparatory series for the T20 World Cup 2026.
The third T20I match between Team India and South Africa is scheduled to be played on December 14 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.
(With ANI Inputs)
