India Win Toss, Opt to Bowl First Against South Africa in Second T20I at Maiden Men’s International Venue

Chandigarh, Dec 2025 : India won the toss and chose to bowl first against South Africa in the second T20I at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Thursday. This match marks the stadium’s first men’s international cricket game, making it the 55th venue in India to host international cricket. India currently lead the five-match series 1-0, and a victory today will extend their advantage to 2-0.

Speaking ahead of the game, India captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed excitement over the stadium hosting its inaugural men’s international match. “This has always been a wonderful ground. We played here during franchise cricket, and recently watched a women’s game as well. It’s the first men’s international match here, and I’m very excited. I’m sure the crowd is excited too,” he said.

Reflecting on India’s performance in the first T20I in Cuttack, Suryakumar praised his team’s composure and execution under pressure. “It’s important for the boys to understand their responsibilities and adapt to what the team demands. They batted perfectly. 175 on that wicket was slightly over par. The way we bowled was a lovely effort,” he noted.

The skipper also singled out Hardik Pandya for his all-round performance, calling him a key asset to the team. “The balance he provides is amazing. The way he batted, stayed calm under pressure, and bowled crucial overs, was very important for the side. He carried himself well, and it didn’t look like he was injured,” Suryakumar added.

On the South African side, captain Aiden Markram confirmed changes in the playing eleven, with Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj, and Anrich Nortje replaced by Reeza Hendricks, Ottniel Baartman, and George Linde.

Markram said, “We would have fielded. It looks like a good wicket. Not many international games have been played here, but we hope to post a good score and put India under pressure. We have to accept nights like the first game and hope to improve today. We’ll assess the situation after a few overs.”

The Indian playing XI for the second T20I is: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Arshdeep Singh.

South Africa’s XI includes: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (capt), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, and Ottniel Baartman.

The match not only offers India a chance to consolidate their lead in the series but also showcases New Chandigarh as a new hub for international cricket, attracting local fans and providing a fresh venue for high-profile matches. The stadium is expected to see a packed crowd eager to witness top-level T20 action.

Team Maverick