Published By: Sanchari Das

SA vs. IND T20I: Five Indian Bowling Performances That Baffled South Africa Ft. Kuldeep Yadav

These incredible bowling performances underscore just how deep India’s bowling arsenal runs

India’s T20 rivalry with South Africa has always provided intense competition and thrilling performances, with both bat and ball. Historically known as a batting powerhouse, India has made significant strides in developing a formidable bowling lineup, which has been instrumental in securing crucial wins across formats. In a game often labelled as a “batters’ format,” Indian bowlers have repeatedly proven their mettle, exhibiting skill and resilience against a challenging South African side.

As India now embarks on another T20 series under the new leadership of Suryalumar Yadav in South Africa, fans look back at some of the best bowling spells that have left a lasting impact. From seamers to spinners, these performances highlight individual brilliance and underline India’s growing depth in bowling. Here are five unforgettable bowling displays by Indian players against South Africa that changed the course of the game and etched their place in T20I history.

Kuldeep Yadav’s 5/17 – Johannesburg, 2023

In the final T20I of India’s 2023 tour of South Africa, Kuldeep Yadav’s magic spin scripted a resounding 106-run victory. Chasing India’s 201, South Africa crumbled as Kuldeep dismantled their lineup with an impressive 5-wicket haul for 17 runs in just 2.5 overs. His critical scalps included big hitters like David Miller and Donovan Ferreira. The young spinner’s consistency and skill turned the game around as South Africa folded for 95. Kuldeep’s efforts earned him the distinction of being the first Indian spinner with multiple five-wicket hauls in T20Is.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 5/24 – Johannesburg, 2018

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s heroics at Johannesburg in 2018 were instrumental in India’s 28-run victory. Defending a formidable total of 203, Kumar’s precise swing and pace changes saw him pick up five wickets for just 24 runs, putting South Africa’s chase on shaky ground. He broke through the top order, removing key players like JJ Smuts and JP Duminy. His dismissal of Reeza Hendricks and Heinrich Klaasen at crucial moments derailed the hosts, sealing India’s win and earning Kumar the Player of the Match award for his maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 5/24 – Johannesburg, 2018

RP Singh’s 4/13 – Durban, 2007

In a historic 2007 T20 World Cup clash, RP Singh delivered a stellar spell that propelled India to a 37-run victory over South Africa. Defending a modest 154, Singh dismantled South Africa’s top order, finishing with figures of 4 for 13 at an economy of just 3.25. His dismissals of Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith were crucial, setting the tone for India’s defence. Singh’s spell restricted South Africa to 116/9, eliminating their hopes of advancing in the tournament. His precision and ability to exploit the conditions exemplified India’s robust bowling unit.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 4/13 – Cuttack, 2022

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s second memorable performance came in a closely contested T20I at Cuttack. Despite South Africa’s eventual 4-wicket win, Kumar’s 4-wicket haul for just 13 runs almost turned the game in India’s favour. His lethal opening spell dismissed Reeza Hendricks and disrupted South Africa’s middle order, limiting their momentum. Bhuvneshwar’s precision made scoring difficult, forcing several dot balls and frustrating the Proteas’ chase. Although Heinrich Klaasen’s counter-attack guided South Africa to victory, Kumar’s economical and strategic bowling earned him well-deserved recognition.

Avesh Khan’s 4/18 – Rajkot, 2022

Avesh Khan showcased his talent in the 4th T20I of the 2022 series, claiming four wickets for just 18 runs to level the series for India. His opening burst dismissed Dwaine Pretorius, setting the tone early on. Later, his single over, in which he took three crucial wickets, shattered South Africa’s middle-order momentum. Khan’s fiery spell restricted the Proteas to a mere 87 runs. With strong support from Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya’s batting, India won by 82 runs, setting up a thrilling series decider.