India batted first and scored 180 for seven before rain stopped play with three balls remaining in their 20 overs. After a nearly one-hour delay, South Africa needed to make 152 runs in 15 overs. Reeza Hendricks’ impressive 49 off 27 balls led South Africa to victory with seven balls to spare. With this win, they took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, following a rain-affected first match in Durban. South African captain Aiden Markram acknowledged that the weather conditions favored his team, with rain affecting both the lead-up to the match and the end of the Indian innings.

“The second bit of rain helped us. The ball skidded on a bit and also affected the outfield,” said Markram.

Suryakumar, the Indian captain, scored 56 runs off 36 balls, entering the game with the team at 6 for 2 after two overs, following the dismissals of openers Yashavi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, both without scoring. Despite the early setbacks, Suryakumar and Tilak Varma (29) went on the offensive against some inconsistent bowling, contributing 49 runs off 25 balls. Later, Suryakumar and Singh combined for a partnership of 70 runs off 49 balls.

“That’s the brand of cricket we want to play, whatever the situation,” said Suryakumar.

Markram explained that due to the aggressive Indian batting, he had to employ a strategic approach in managing the bowlers. Tabraiz Shamsi, named the player of the match, bowled his left-arm wrist spin in three spells, securing figures of one for 18, which were the most economical in the entire match.

“Shammy bowled incredibly well,” said Markham.

Gerald Coetzee claimed three wickets for 32 runs, dismissing batsmen with the final two balls of the Indian innings. Just as Mohammed Siraj was about to face the hat-trick delivery, the umpires halted play and took the players off the field.