Varun's Magic Carrom Ball Shatters Hendricks: SA's Explosive Start in IND vs SA 2nd T20I

In a thrilling second T20I between India and South Africa at Mullanpur, South African opener Reeza Hendricks fell victim to a stunning carrom ball from Indian spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, marking a pivotal moment in the match.

India captained by Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first, banking on the spin-friendly conditions. South Africa, aiming to level the three-match series after a loss in the opener, made three changes to their lineup, bringing in Hendricks, George Linde, and Ottneil Baartman while dropping Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj, and Anrich Nortje. India stuck with the same XI from the first game.

Hendricks, promoted to open alongside Quinton de Kock, started aggressively. In Jasprit Bumrah's second over, he smashed a massive six, contributing to 16 runs off the over that included two wides and another six from de Kock. South Africa raced to 38/0 after four overs, looking dominant against India's pace attack.

The breakthrough came in the fifth over when Chakaravarthy was introduced. On his very first ball, a deceptive carrom ball skidded on after pitching on a good length. Hendricks, rocked back to pull, completely misread it as it crashed into the stumps, dismissing him for 8 off 10 balls. This left South Africa at 38/1, shifting momentum towards India.

Despite the early wicket, Quinton de Kock anchored the innings with a fiery 90, supported by contributions from Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, and a late blitz from Donovan Ferreira. South Africa posted a formidable 213/4, with Chakaravarthy finishing with impressive figures of 2/29. Bumrah endured a rare off-day, conceding 45 runs without a wicket, including four sixes hit against him in the innings.

This match is part of South Africa's tour of India, following India's 2-0 Test series whitewash by the Proteas—their first in 25 years—and India's 2-1 ODI series win powered by Virat Kohli's twin centuries. Both teams eye series supremacy in the T20Is.

Hendricks' dismissal highlights Chakaravarthy's growing threat in T20 cricket, while South Africa's batting depth promises a high-scoring chase for India.