Source NDTV sport
South Africa mounted a spirited fightback in the fifth and final T20I against India as Quinton de Kock smashed a fluent half-century to keep the hosts alive in a daunting run chase on Sunday. Chasing a steep target, the Proteas leaned on their experienced opener, whose aggressive yet controlled knock steadied the innings after early pressure from the Indian bowlers.
India had earlier posted an imposing total, riding on a strong top-order display and late fireworks that pushed the score well beyond par. The visitors capitalised on a fast outfield and short boundaries, ensuring South Africa would need a special effort with the bat to stay in the contest.
That effort came through de Kock. The left-hander mixed crisp drives with powerful pulls, punishing anything short and using the sweep effectively against spin. His fifty came at a brisk pace and shifted momentum back towards South Africa, drawing loud cheers from the home crowd and forcing India to rethink their bowling plans.
India’s bowlers, however, continued to chip away with timely breakthroughs. The pace attack extracted bounce and movement under lights, while the spinners tried to slow the scoring in the middle overs. Fielding standards remained high, with sharp catches and athletic stops keeping the pressure on the chasing side.
As the match moved into the final phase, South Africa still required a flurry of boundaries, making the contest a tense battle between bat and ball. With the series hanging in the balance, the fifth T20I delivered a thrilling spectacle, underlining the fierce rivalry between the two sides and setting up a dramatic finish.
