"Sunday ko mast naha dho ke aana!"- Fans thrilled about the decider as India thump South Africa by 82 runs in 4th T20I

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Dinesh Karthik (L) and Avesh Khan were the standout performers in India's latest win. (P.C.:BCCI)

Team India made a roaring comeback into the ongoing five-match series against South Africa. They managed to level it at 2-2 at Rajkot by beating the visitors comprehensively on June 17. Chasing 170 runs to win, the Proteas were bundled out for just 87, which is their lowest T20I score.

Avesh Khan, who found it very difficult to pick up a wicket in the first three games, bagged sensational figures of 4/18. Other bowlers also stepped in and gave a complete team effort to thump South Africa. Dinesh Karthik won the Man of the Match award in T20I after 16 long years against the same team for his brilliant fifty.

Fans on Twitter hailed the Indian team for showing incredible courage in their last two games. They also applauded the team management for sticking with the same XI despite the two losses.

Every single player who contributed to the team's win was hailed by the fans. Some fans also felt that South Africa's weak batting was finally exposed as they played with a batter short throughout the series. Here are some of the reactions:

Vinesh Prabhu

@vlp1994

The last time Dinesh Karthik won a MOM award in T20I before tonight...

- MS Dhoni was only 2 years old in international Cricket

- Shah Rukh Khan's DON had just released

- Shane Warne was about to complete 700 wickets

- John Cena was the biggest thing in WWE

#INDvSA

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The last time Dinesh Karthik won a MOM award in T20I before tonight...

- MS Dhoni was only 2 years old in international Cricket

- Shah Rukh Khan's DON had just released

- Shane Warne was about to complete 700 wickets

- John Cena was the biggest thing in WWE

#INDvSA

KOHLI KA PANKHA HUN KOI PROBLEM HUH?!🤬

@Khemansingla

This walk is not just to the dressing room!!! This walk will decide the fate of T20 world cup trophy!!!! One of the best finsiher is back at hunt! 🥵 He is back to lift it again! This time in Australia

Dk supremacy

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This walk is not just to the dressing room!!! This walk will decide the fate of T20 world cup trophy!!!! One of the best finsiher is back at hunt! 🔥🥵 He is back to lift it again! This time in Australia 🌏 🔥❤️

Dk supremacy https://t.co/LjdMV6mq83

Johns.

@CricCrazyJohns

Dec 1, 2006 - Dinesh Karthik won Man of the match vs SA in T20I.
June 17, 2022 - Dinesh Karthik won Man of the match vs SA in T20I.

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Dec 1, 2006 - Dinesh Karthik won Man of the match vs SA in T20I.
June 17, 2022 - Dinesh Karthik won Man of the match vs SA in T20I.

Ishan Kishan

@ishankishan51

Solid win All to play for in Bengaluru

2569

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Solid win 🇮🇳 All to play for in Bengaluru https://t.co/PboDzYE0nw

DK

@DineshKarthik

-

#INDvSA

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2️⃣-2️⃣✌️

#INDvSA https://t.co/pQ0TN7XuMf

Kausthub Gudipati

@kaustats

Dinesh Karthik at the age of 37 is the oldest Indian to win Player of the Match Award in men's T20Is. The first to win it after the age of 35.

Previous oldest was Rohit Sharma at the age of 34y 216d in 2021.
#INDvSA

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Dinesh Karthik at the age of 37 is the oldest Indian to win Player of the Match Award in men's T20Is. The first to win it after the age of 35.

Previous oldest was Rohit Sharma at the age of 34y 216d in 2021.
#INDvSA

🦋 Mee23 :) 🦋

@mee23_1

Excellent Comeback from Avesh ...
4/18(4)

#INDvSA

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Excellent Comeback from Avesh ...
4/18(4) 👏👊🇮🇳

#INDvSA https://t.co/GISUPf3OHs

ANSHUMAN🚩

@AvengerReturns

Jasprit bumrah and Harshal Patel together in world cup 🥵

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Jasprit bumrah and Harshal Patel together in world cup 🥵🔥🔥

Prithvi

@Puneite_

India have played 16 bilateral t20 series at home ( series with 3 or more games)
Lost only 1. Vs SA in 2015.

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India have played 16 bilateral t20 series at home ( series with 3 or more games)
Lost only 1. Vs SA in 2015.

Shrutika // Unreliable Car Season

@Shrustappen33

Concussion pe concussion
But most important thing is that India denied the dynamic duo to fire. The way Harshal, Axar, Chahal, Avesh bowled in the middle overs to create pressure & get wickets was plan executed well.

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Concussion pe concussion
But most important thing is that India denied the dynamic duo to fire. The way Harshal, Axar, Chahal, Avesh bowled in the middle overs to create pressure & get wickets was plan executed well.

KASHISH

@crickashish217

Damn..India won by 82??

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Damn..India won by 82?? 😳😳

Suresh Raina🇮🇳

@ImRaina

Many congratulations to #TeamIndia on such a terrific win Outstanding performance by @DineshKarthik and @hardikpandya7 & well played by the entire team, keep up the spirits! #INDvSA

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Many congratulations to #TeamIndia on such a terrific win🇮🇳 Outstanding performance by @DineshKarthik and @hardikpandya7 & well played by the entire team, keep up the spirits! #INDvSA

hardik pandya

@hardikpandya7

Massive win My Dino, you superstar Bengaluru up next.

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Massive win 🇮🇳 My Dino, you superstar 👏 Bengaluru up next. https://t.co/GmNRCSU1Ak

Akshat

@AkshatOM10

Vande mataram, proud of you boys.

Seal the series at Bangaluru

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Vande mataram, proud of you boys.

Seal the series at Bangaluru 🇮🇳 https://t.co/wqRyPovjCC

🦋 Mee23 :) 🦋

@mee23_1

Excellent Comeback from Avesh ...
4/18(4)

#INDvSA

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Excellent Comeback from Avesh ...
4/18(4) 👏👊🇮🇳

#INDvSA https://t.co/GISUPf3OHs

Mufaddal Vohra

@mufaddal_vohra

Avesh Khan said, "I want to dedicate my performance tonight to my father. It's his birthday today".

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Avesh Khan said, "I want to dedicate my performance tonight to my father. It's his birthday today".

Johns.

@CricCrazyJohns

Sunil Gavaskar said "Massive credit to the captain Pant, coach Dravid and management - after 0-2 down and making a comeback is not easy".

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Sunil Gavaskar said "Massive credit to the captain Pant, coach Dravid and management - after 0-2 down and making a comeback is not easy".

Saurabh Malhotra

@MalhotraSaurabh

Expecting Bengaluru crowd to go berserk for DK on Sunday!

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Expecting Bengaluru crowd to go berserk for DK on Sunday!

🦋 Mee23 :) 🦋

@mee23_1

Since Bavuma Couldn't bat due to injury therefore it was declared that South Africa got all out for 87 .

India won by 82 runs and levelled the series !!

#INDvSA

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Since Bavuma Couldn't bat due to injury therefore it was declared that South Africa got all out for 87 .

🇮🇳 India won by 82 runs and levelled the series !! 😍😁

#INDvSA https://t.co/rpRmm2ZpdN

Binaisha M. Surti

@bmsurti11

India’s bowling aced to perfection! Top class and fiery spells from the entire bowling unit especially Avesh . Hats off to Hardik and DK for giving India that added boost of runs, a crucial partnership is always so valuable in the end! Hats off men in blue #INDvSA #Cricket

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India’s bowling aced to perfection! Top class and fiery spells from the entire bowling unit especially Avesh . Hats off to Hardik and DK for giving India that added boost of runs, a crucial partnership is always so valuable in the end! Hats off men in blue #INDvSA #Cricket

Gurkirat Singh Gill

@gurkiratsgill

Good bowling changes by Pant today. Didn't make the mistakes that he did in the first 2 games.

And more importantly, bowlers backed him too on pitches which had something for everyone.

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Good bowling changes by Pant today. Didn't make the mistakes that he did in the first 2 games.

And more importantly, bowlers backed him too on pitches which had something for everyone.

Gurkirat Singh Gill

@gurkiratsgill

SA got away with their lack of batting depth in the first 2 matches, but going in with just 5 batters is never sustainable, even if you use one of your bowling all rounders as a pinch hitter/blocker. It's a very flawed XI.

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SA got away with their lack of batting depth in the first 2 matches, but going in with just 5 batters is never sustainable, even if you use one of your bowling all rounders as a pinch hitter/blocker. It's a very flawed XI.

Vighnesh17

@VighneshMenon

The comeback is on ladssss
#INDvSA

The comeback is on ladssss
#INDvSA

Archer

@poserarcher

Pant's captaincy hasn't been bad today. Excellent field placements

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Pant's captaincy hasn't been bad today. Excellent field placements

Shrutika // Unreliable Car Season

@Shrustappen33

A revival! A great fight back by Indian team to hit the equaliser & force a decider, from being down 0-2 to 2-2
All down to our to Bengaluru

Hardik-Dinesh partnership with DK’s finishing turned out crucial on this pitch
Bowlers took time but consecutive success, quality!

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A revival! A great fight back by Indian team to hit the equaliser & force a decider, from being down 0-2 to 2-2
All down to our ✈️ to Bengaluru

Hardik-Dinesh partnership with DK’s finishing turned out crucial on this pitch
Bowlers took time but consecutive success, quality!

Srinjoy Sanyal

@srinjoysanyal07

Huge credit to the thinktank. Ruturaj Gaikwad was backed despite not able to buy a run, and he won India the 3rd T20I. Avesh Khan was backed despite not able to scalp a single wicket, and he won India the 4th T20I. #INDvsSA

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Huge credit to the thinktank. Ruturaj Gaikwad was backed despite not able to buy a run, and he won India the 3rd T20I. Avesh Khan was backed despite not able to scalp a single wicket, and he won India the 4th T20I. #INDvsSA

Rajasthan Royals

@rajasthanroyals

Weekend viewing sorted. 🍿

#INDvSA

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Weekend viewing sorted. 🍿

#INDvSA https://t.co/kkv9oxdRI1

Amit Mishra

@MishiAmit

Well played Team India and all the very best for the final match on Sunday. 🏽

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Well played Team India and all the very best for the final match on Sunday. 🙏🏽🇮🇳 https://t.co/Pb1aIMvEaZ

Sam 🏏⚽️🏈

@sammy5456

South Africa might still go on to win this series, but there will be more questions than answers. Some of the team selections, batting lineups and approach has been haphazard to say the least.

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South Africa might still go on to win this series, but there will be more questions than answers. Some of the team selections, batting lineups and approach has been haphazard to say the least. 😞

Aditya

@Adityakrsaha

Finally, this South Africa played like they should with that batting lineup it was surprising to see them win the first two matches. Sending Pretorius at 3 just to stretch the batting order won't always work.

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Finally, this South Africa played like they should with that batting lineup it was surprising to see them win the first two matches. Sending Pretorius at 3 just to stretch the batting order won't always work.

Varnata

@VarnataSingh

@DineshKarthik in Bengaluru….

It is going be the loudest cheeeer! And Bengaluru is ready!
Can’t wait to see you walk out on the field

Bring it on DK! DK! DK! DK!

#INDvSA

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@DineshKarthik in Bengaluru….🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

It is going be the loudest cheeeer! And Bengaluru is ready!
Can’t wait to see you walk out on the field 😍

Bring it on DK! DK! DK! DK!

#INDvSA

Srini

@softsignalout

There is no way team india should take the field in T20 World Cup with out Avesh Khan.Again my opinion.Everyone will have their opinion as well.

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There is no way team india should take the field in T20 World Cup with out Avesh Khan.Again my opinion.Everyone will have their opinion as well.

Gurkirat Singh Gill

@gurkiratsgill

What DK has spoken here about being secure in the setup and not being worried about the results is something which is great to know about this think tank. One may or may not always agree with their strategies, but it's important that the TM has conviction in their strategies.

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What DK has spoken here about being secure in the setup and not being worried about the results is something which is great to know about this think tank. One may or may not always agree with their strategies, but it's important that the TM has conviction in their strategies. https://t.co/37Hx0vAGea

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Indian bowlers simply gave nothing away

The Men in Blue got off to a good start as they kept things tight. Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma retired hurt and things turned in India's favour when Quinton de Kock was run-out.

South Africa never really got going in the chase. Whenever there looked to be a partnership developing, someone or the other from the hosts stepped up and provided the breakthrough.

Avesh picked up three wickets in an over to push the Proteas completely on the backfoot. Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel got enough turn and grip from the pitch as they caused damage in the middle-overs. When Harshal Patel cleaned up David Miller, it was probably the final nail in their coffin.

The hosts will take great confidence from this win and will be pumped up for the series decider in Bengaluru on Sunday, June 19. The Proteas might have to find a way to play an extra batter without compromising much on their bowling.

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