IND vs SA, 2nd T20I: Varun Chakravarthy joins Kuldeep and Bhuvneshwar on ELITE list with maiden five-for

India may have lost the second T20I against South Africa on Sunday (Nov 10) but spinner Varun Chakravarthy had the game of his life. The mystery spinner took a five-for as India tried to defend a low total of 125 and in the process, he joined Kuldeep Yadav Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in a unique list.

Chakravarthy, who finished with the figures of 5/17 in his four overs, registered the joint-best bowling figures by an Indian against South Africa in T20Is. Before him, Kuldeep had taken 5/17 in Johannesburg in 2023. Chakravarthy also became only the third Indian bowler to take a five-for against South Africa in a T20I alongside Kuldeep and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Bhuvi, who last played a T20I for India in 2022, had taken 5/24 in Johannesburg in a T20I in 2018.

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Chakravarthy is also only the fifth Indian bowler to take a five-for in a T20I apart from Kuldeep, Bhuvi, Yuzvendra Chahal and Deepak Chahar.

Despite Chakravarthy's magic, India failed to defend the total as South Africa won the match by three wickets to and level the four-match series 1-1.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav accepted that India didn't do well with the bat but praised Chakravarthy for his spell.

“In a T20 game someone getting a 5-fer defending 125 and in this situation, it's incredible. He worked really hard on his game and he has been waiting for this stage, and everyone enjoyed it. Brilliant performance from him,” said the skipper at the post-match presentation.

India were looking to snatch a win at a point when they pinned down SA at 86/7 with nearly four overs left. Gerald Coetzee (19 off 9 not out) and Tristian Stubbs (47 not out off 41), however, added 42 unbeaten runs for the eighth wicket to take their team home in what could have been a tense finish.