NEW DELHI: The lean run of Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav was extended as Indian batters stumbled on a good batting surface to lose the second T20 against South Africa by 51 runs on Thursday.

Quinton de Kock made an effortless 90 off 46 balls, pushing South Africa to a challenging 213 for four after India opted to field.

Abhishek Sharma joins Suryakumar Yadav in exclusive six-hitting record

India were expected to chase down the steep target but South Africa removed Abhishek Sharma (17), Gill (0) and Suryakumar Yadav (5) inside the powerplay to put the hosts on the backfoot. India were eventually bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs with Tilak Varma (62 off 34) playing a lone hand.

The five-match series now stand at 1-1 with the third match scheduled in Dharamsala on December 14.

The local crowd was expecting their home heroes Gill and Abhishek to fire but it was not to be.

Yet to realise his potential in the shortest format, vice-captain Gill faced a beauty from Lungi Ngidi first ball, a delivery that seamed away from length to take a thick outside edge.

Abhishek was caught behind in the following over from Marco Jansen. Next to depart was skipper Suryakumar, who got a faint edge after Jansen angled it away from him.

Middle order fight falls short

Batting at three, Axar Patel (21 off 21) was taken at cover as Reeza Hendricks barely managed to get his fingers under the ball.

From there onwards Tilak batted at high tempo but lack of partnerships and a rising required rate pushed the game out of India’s reach.

Earlier, De Kock entertained the crowd with his remarkable strokeplay.

When in full flow, De Kock is among the most attractive batters in the game and he showed his range on a true pitch. He dealt mainly in sixes through the middle overs and most of his seven maximums flew over deep square leg.

De Kock, who recently reversed his ODI retirement and was unsure about his T20 future after the last World Cup, looked refreshed and in full rhythm.

An innings like this, just days before the mini auction, will surely spark interest among franchises who may engage in a bidding war for the multi skilled cricketer.

Arshdeep Singh, who had dismissed De Kock in the series opener, found himself under attack this time. De Kock began with a pick up shot for six off Arshdeep before pulling him over deep mid-wicket.

Jasprit Bumrah also conceded 16 in his second over after being pulled for six by Reeza Hendricks. The right hander then missed a skidding delivery from Varun Chakravarthy in the next over, giving India a much-needed breakthrough, but De Kock kept the pressure on and carried South Africa to 53 for one in the powerplay.

Brought back in the 11th over, Arshdeep lost control after being hit for a straight six by De Kock. He attempted wide yorkers but missed his lengths and ended up bowling seven wides in an 18 run over.

De Kock looked set for a second T20 hundred but was run out in bizarre fashion by Jitesh Sharma after attempting a non-existent single.

The big hits continued even after his dismissal, with Donavan Ferreira (30 not out off 16) and David Miller (20 not out off 12) finishing strong in the death overs.

Arshdeep’s new ball partner Bumrah had an off day too, conceding 18 runs in the 20th over as Ferreira launched two towering sixes.