India beat South Africa by 82 runs in the fourth T20I, in Rajkot, to level the series 2-2. Asked to bat, India were reduced to 40/3 before they did well to recover to 169/6, largely due to Hardik Pandya (46 in 31 balls) and Dinesh Karthik (55 in 27). In response, only three South Africans reached double figures as they were shot out for 87 in 16.5 overs, their lowest score in T20Is against India. Avesh Khan (4-0-18-4) did most of the damage.
South Africa were 20/0 after 19 balls when Temba Bavuma walked off with a bruised elbow. He did not return. Quinton de Kock had a rare struggle before he was caught up in a mid-pitch mix-up with Dwaine Pretorius and was run out. Avesh soon had Pretorius caught behind, but Rassie van der Dussen hit two fours in that over to keep South Africa in the hunt.
As the asking rate mounted, Rishabh Pant brought on Chahal, who trapped Heinrich Klaasen leg-before. David Miller hit Chahal for a six before Harshal Patel knocked his off stump out. Marco Jansen hit a four and a six, and South Africa were left to chase 97 in seven overs. Then Avesh decided the match with three wickets – including that of van der Dussen – in the 14th over.
Earlier, India lost Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, and Shreyas Iyer early before Pant and Pandya added a cautious 41. Once Pant fell, Karthik arrived and accelerated from the onset, adding 65 with Pandya in 33 balls. India scored 73 in the last five overs.
Karthik had played the first ever T20I for India, back in 2005/06; now, in 2022, he eventually got his first T20I fifty.
Brief scores
India 169/6 (Dinesh Karthik 55; Lungi Ngidi 2-20) beat South Africa 87 in 16.5 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 20; Avesh Khan 4-18) by 82 runs. Player of the Match: Dinesh Karthik.