Cuttack :A struggling India put up a pathetic batting display to be skittled out for a paltry 92 in 17.2 overs against South Africa in the second cricket Twenty20 International, here today.
Indian openers Rohit Sharma (22) and Shikhar Dhawan (11) did give the hosts a brisk start but the visiting bowlers had other ideas at the Barabati Stadium.
After the opener managed 28 runs from 23 deliveries, hell broke loose for India, who lost four wickets in the space of 20 runs that included run-outs of Virat Kohli (0) and Rohit.
This was India’s second lowest T20 score after being shot out for 74 against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in February 2008.
Hosting its first T20 International, the Barabati Cricket Stadium was in for another rude shock no sooner Ravichandran Ashwin (11) was bowled by Chris Morris (2-16) to bundle the side as frustrated fans started hurling water bottles into the ground.
The incident went on for about 10 minutes before police took control of the situation and announcements were made by the Odisha Cricket Association to pacify the spectators.
Meanwhile contrary to expectation, the pitch induced good bounce and pace as the South Africans revelled in the conditions with Albie Morkel, who was drafted in place of Marchant de Lange, becoming the top wicket taker with his 3-12, while Imran Tahir and Morris scalped two each.
Earlier, in an interesting ploy, South Africa did not opt for a continuity in the bowling line-up and instead had four bowlers inside four overs after starting out with Kyle Abott and Tahir.
Even though the strip induced some fine bounce, Rohit and Dhawan looked in little trouble before Morris triggered the collapse dismissing the left-hander in the last ball of the fourth over.
Dhawan (11 from 12 balls) was trapped on his backfoot to a delivery that straightened around middle-leg, something that opened the gates for South Africa.
In space of a ball, Kohli (0) was back in the dressing without facing a delivery after he was run out while attempting for a second run.
PTI