NEW DELHI: India’s crushing 51-run loss to South Africa in Mullanpur on Thursday did not just level the five-match series 1-1 — it also underlined an uncomfortable statistical reality. This was India’s 13th T20I defeat to South Africa in 33 matches, the most losses they have suffered against any opposition in the format. Australia and England follow with 12 each, but the Proteas now stand alone atop a list India would rather avoid.
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- 13 - South Africa (33 matches)
- 12 - Australia (37 mats)
- 12 - England (29 mats)
- 10 - New Zealand (25 mats)
- 10 - West Indies (30 mats)
South Africa’s domination added another layer of statistical significance. Their pacers produced a rare, ruthless performance to dismiss India entirely with pace, marking the first time South African fast bowlers have taken all ten wickets in a T20I innings. India’s collapse — all ten wickets falling to pace — is also their worst such outing in T20Is, surpassing previous lows against the West Indies (nine wickets lost to pace in 2022) and Pakistan (nine in 2024).
Most wickets lost vs pacers by India in a T20I innings- 10 vs SA, Mullanpur, 2025
- 9 vs WI, Basseterre, 2022
- 9 vs PAK, New York, 2024 WC
The numbers around India’s failed chase were equally damning. Set 214 after Quinton de Kock’s blazing 90 (46 balls), India folded for 162 in 19.1 overs. The defeat reaffirmed a long-standing hurdle: India have never successfully chased a 210-plus target in T20Is. Their record now reads: seven attempts, seven defeats.
The 51-run margin also enters India’s list of biggest defeats by runs in T20Is — second only to the 80-run hammering by New Zealand in Wellington (2019). It also joins heavy losses against Australia (49 runs, 2010), South Africa (49, 2022) and New Zealand (47, 2016).
Biggest defeat for India in T20Is (by runs)
- 80 vs NZ, Wellington, 2019
- 51 vs SA, Mullanpur, 2025
- 49 vs AUS, Bridgetown, 2010
- 49 vs SA, Indore, 2022
- 47 vs NZ, Nagpur, 2016
South Africa’s response to their 74-all-out embarrassment in Cuttack was emphatic. De Kock led the revival with seven sixes, while Donovan Ferreira’s 30 off 16 powered a 49-run burst in the final three overs. Ottneil Baartman, one of three changes, sealed the win with a superb 4 for 24.
India’s chase never took flight. Shubman Gill fell in the first over, Abhishek Sharma sparkled briefly, and captain Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles continued. Tilak Varma’s 62 (34 balls) was the lone resistance, but even he could not prevent India from suffering their first T20I defeat in 14 matches with both Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh in the XI.
The series now moves to Dharamsala for the third T20I on Sunday, with India seeking answers — and redemption — before the T20 World Cup at home in February.
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