Watch: Virat Kohli put down a simple chance against South Africa at a pivotal moment in their T20 World Cup contest, leaving R Ashwin stunned and the commentators “speechless”.

Rohit Sharma missed a run-out chance soon after to compound India’s woes.

The India-South Africa contest was turning into a low-scoring thriller, with India having put up 133-8, and the Proteas 40-3 at the halfway stage of the chase.

They came out for the last 10 overs with renewed intent, Aiden Markram and David Miller hitting three boundaries in eight balls after the drinks break.

However, it seemed as if the former’s innings would come to an end as he attempted to make it four in 11, with the South Africa No.4 pulling Ashwin into the deep, where Kohli settled under the ball.

Astonishingly, the former India captain dropped the chance, not once, but twice, juggling and then seeing the ball fall to the turf.

“How could he put that down?” asked Harsha Bhogle on commentary. “Ashwin wants to know the same as well. He was back-pedalling, he got it once and then it popped out. Was that the game? And this is one of the best [fielders]. It’s gone to one of the best.”

“I’m a little speechless right now Harsha,” Dale Steyn added. “Could be the lights, or there could have been a bit of a slip. I’m making excuses here for one of the best fielders in the world. But really, an easy catch at the end of the day for Kohli, putting it down.”

One over later, Miller and Markram attempted a quick single, with Rohit having a chance to dismiss the former at the non-striker’s end. He swooped and underarmed the ball towards the stumps, but missed, giving South Africa another reprieve.

Watch Kohli drop Markram to leave Ashwin stunned below:

Bet365 will be Live Streaming all of the T20 World Cup matches direct to your iPhone, iPad or Android device, as well as desktop. This means that every T20 World Cup fixture will be available to bet365 customers wherever they are in the world.