India head coach Gautam Gambhir talks to India captain Suryakumar Yadav (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) Smriti Mandhana opens up on ‘love’, World Cup win and more New Delhi: India’s 51-run defeat to South Africa in the second T20I in Mullanpur on Thursday has triggered a new wave of scrutiny, with questions raised on the form of Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav and the team’s bowling discipline. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan summed up the growing concern. On social media, Batting.

India’s chase was quickly thwarted as the top-order faltered in the powerplay, with the hosts losing the wickets of Abhishek Sharma (17), Gill (0) and Suryakumar (5) inside the first five overs. The local crowd was hoping to see their home stars flourish, but Gill’s struggles in the T20I were further exacerbated when he dismissed a brilliant away-seamer from Lungi Ngidi on his very first ball.

Abhishek was caught behind the wicket in the next over off the bowling of Marco Jensen and Suryakumar. Soon after, another ball from Jensen came in front of him. Axar Patel (21 off 21), promoted to No.

3, also got out cheaply as the pressure increased. Only Tilak Verma lasted long, scoring 62 off 34, but with wickets falling and the required pace increasing, India were all out for 162 in 19.

1 overs, leaving South Africa level at 1-1 in the five-match series ahead of the Dharamsala clash. 14 December.

Earlier, De Kock’s ferocious hitting, which included seven sixes, many of which were over deep square leg, dismantled India’s attack. Arshdeep Singh faced a nightmare in the 11th over, conceding 18 runs including seven wides, while Donovan Ferreira (30 not out off 16) dismissed Jasprit Bumrah in the final over. India conceded 123 runs in the last 10 overs, a collapse in discipline that will worry Gowtham.

Gambhir’s management is looking for answers before the next game.