India and South Africa have barely had time to recover from the series opener before facing off in the second T20I at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in Mullanpur today. Following India’s 101-run victory in Cuttack, the visitors must be under pressure to effect a turnaround.
With the rapid-fire scheduling leaving little time for preparation, South Africa must address the batting capitulation that saw them crumble in 12.3 overs, while India looks to maintain momentum in their build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup defense.
The buzz in Mullanpur surrounds the local contingent, with three Punjabi players: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and Arshdeep Singh, set to represent India on their home turf. It is a historic moment for the state, drawing comparisons to the era of Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh.
While Abhishek arrives as the top-ranked T20 batter, the spotlight is firmly on Gill, who is searching for a defining knock after a lean patch in the shortest format. Captain Suryakumar Yadav is also looking to break a half-century drought dating back to October 2024.
South Africa’s immediate concern lies in their batting approach, which proved disastrous against the moving ball in the series opener. To bolster a fragile batting order, the Proteas think-tank might consider replacing pacer Lutho Sipamla with all-round options like Corbin Bosch or George Linde.
The visitors face a specific challenge in the powerplay, particularly the matchup between Quinton de Kock and Arshdeep Singh; the Indian pacer has dismissed de Kock five times in T20s, conceding just 38 runs off 41 balls.
Conditions at the new PCA Stadium remain somewhat of a mystery for an international debut, though IPL history suggests a balanced contest where fast bowlers often hold sway. Unlike traditional stadiums with high stands, the open nature of the Mullanpur ground means dew might not be as debilitating, though it is still expected to play a role.
IPL stats show a near-even split, with teams batting first winning six times against five losses. The weather is predicted to be hazy with temperatures dropping to around 9°C by evening, potentially aiding swing bowlers early on, much like the conditions that troubled South Africa in Cuttack.
India is unlikely to tinker with a winning combination unless the surface heavily favors spin, in which case Kuldeep Yadav could replace a pacer. The bowling unit is firing on all cylinders, with every bowler taking a wicket in the previous match. The focus remains on aggressive cricket, moving away from anchor roles.
The match begins at 7 PM IST, with live coverage on the Star Sports Network and streaming available on JioHotstar.
