‘Bye-Bye Pakistan!’ – Twitter consoles Pakistan fans after South Africa beat India by 5 wickets in the 20-20 World Cup

India and South Africa locked horns in an important clash of the 20-20 World Cup at Perth. The Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first on the fast bouncy pitch at the Perth Stadium. Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul walked out to the middle to give a good start to their team.

However, they were up against the formidable pace attack of Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi who didn’t allow the Indian batters to settle down. Parnell started the innings with a maiden over against an out-of-form KL Rahul.

Both batters tried to make amends for a slow start by hitting one six each. However, they were put under constant pressure by South Africa. Lungi Ngidi made a double strike in the fifth over removing both the openers. He further gave a major blow to India as he dismissed the in-form Virat Kohli.

India lost half their side at the score of 49 with the South African attack wreaking havoc on them. India could only score 133/9 in the first innings courtesy of a brilliant knock by Suryakumar Yadav of 68 from 40 balls. No other batter apart from him could reach the 20-run-mark as Lungi Ngidi picked up 4 wickets for 29 runs in his four overs. Wayne Parnell also picked up 3 wickets for just 15 runs in his four overs.

Defending a low total, Indian bowlers looked in fine form as they constantly built the pressure right from ball one. Arshdeep Singh gave a double blow to the Proteas as he removed Quinton De Kock and dangerous Rilee Rossouw in a space of three balls during the second over of the innings. Mohammad Shami struck the third blow dismissing the South African captain Temba Bavuma at the score of 24.

South Africa were seen struggling as they required 94 runs in the last 10 overs with David Miller and Aiden Markram unbeaten at the crease. The duo continued to bat positively as Indian bowlers put them under pressure.

The Indian team missed several chances in the middle with Virat Kohli dropping Markram on Ashwin’s bowling and Rohit Sharma missing a run-out chance. A miscommunication between the two fielders further led to another missed chance of Aiden Markram at the deep mid-wicket boundary.

Markram and David Miller added 76 runs for the fifth wicket to bring South Africa in the driver’s seat. Markram scored a magnificent 52 off 41 balls to take South Africa closer to victory. He was finally dismissed by Hardik Pandya which brought Tristan Stubbs to the crease. At the other end, Miller continued his good knock and brought up his fifty off 40 balls. Miller finally guided his team home in the last over as he remained unbeaten on 59 off 46 balls. South Africa won the match by five wickets and climbed to the top of the table.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to India’s loss:

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