For a second time in 2023, India Cricket Team are staring at a second T20I series defeat away from home comforts. With a five-wicket loss to South Africa on Tuesday, India are now trailing 0-1 in the IND vs SA series with a match to go. However, with the first match already washed out, Suryakumar Yadav & Co can only win the last T20I to level. A loss in Johannesburg will confirm India’s series loss. India vs South Africa 3rd T20I takes place on Thursday. Team India lost to West Indies 2-3 in the five-match series earlier this year.
Since 2017, India have only lost three T20Is series (two or more matches) away from home. In 2022, India Cricket Team won all four series away from home.
In fact, since India played the first T20I back in 2006, they have lost only five bilateral T20 series with two or more matches. In a three-match series India last lost to Sri Lanka when a second-string side toured the island nation in 2021.
- India’s away series defeat in T20Is (excluding one off matches)
| Series Result | Opponent | Year |
| 0-2 | New Zealand | 2009 |
| 1-2 | New Zealand | 2019 |
| 1-2 | Sri Lanka | 2021 |
| 2-3 | West Indies | 2023 |
IND vs SA: Bigger picture
The three-match IND vs SA T20I series has a bigger picture even though the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah are absent. With T20 World Cup 2024 just six months away, India had just six T20Is in hand to test different players and combinations.
However, with the IND vs SA 1st T20 washed out, India Cricket Team were down to five T20Is. And head coach Rahul Dravid did not waste any time in giving opportunities to youngsters. Shreyas Iyer made way for Tilak Varma, who had to warm the bench in IND vs AUS series.
Similarly, Ravi Bishnoi already succeeding in IND vs AUS series to become World No 1 T20I bowler, Kuldeep Yadav was preferred.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma too got an extended run with Ishan Kishan warming the bench. Hence, even in defeat in the IND vs SA 2nd T20I, stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav did not lose heart. It was Reeza Hendricks (49 off 27) and Aiden Markram (30 off 17) blew India’s bowling attack away on a wet outfield. Only Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav could trouble the Protean power.
“Mood in the camp is always happy, and full of cheer, because I’ve said whatever happens on the ground, leave it on the ground. Really looking forward to the third T20I,” Suryakumar Yadav said after the match.
