Varun Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul in the second T20I between India and South Africa in Gqeberha went in vain as the visitors succumbed to a defeat. Here’s where his performance ranks amongst the best bowling figures in a losing cause among Full Members.
After being put to bat first, India managed only 124-6, their lowest-ever score in South Africa. Defending the modest total, Chakravarthy spun a web to bring the tourists back into the game.
He first struck in the sixth over, removing South Africa captain Aiden Markram for three runs. Reeza Hendricks (24) was his next victim, with South Africa slipping to 44-3. Marco Jansen's promotion to No.5 didn't work as the bowler took him out for a 10-ball seven along with Heinrich Klaasen (2) on successive deliveries. South Africa were 66-6 after 12.2 overs when Chakravarthy picked up his fifth wicket of the day after sending David Miller packing for a duck.
However, Tristan Stubbs (47*) aided by a nine-ball 19 run-cameo from Gerald Coetzee took the home side over the line with an over and three wickets remaining.
Second ODI - won by 9 wickets ✅
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 10, 2024
Third ODI - won by 8 wickets ✅
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Best T20I bowling figures in defeat for Full Member nations
Chakravarthy's 5-17 are the best T20I bowling figures in a losing cause. Mustafizur Rahman and Matthew Short hold the joint-second position with 5-22. Mustafizur's figures came at the 2016 T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens, while Short's were during a series against England earlier this year
| Bowler | Team | Figures | Opposition | Venue | Year |
Varun Chakravarthy | India | 5-17 | South Africa | Gqeberha | 2024 |
Mustafizur Rahman | Bangladesh | 5-22 | New Zealand | Eden Gardens | 2016 |
| Matthew Short | Australia | 5-22 | England | Cardiff | 2024 |
| Daren Sammy | West Indies | 5-26 | Zimbabwe | Port of Spain | 2010 |
| Lungi Ngidi | South Africa | 5-39 | England | Bristol | 2022 |
| Sulieman Benn | West Indies | 4-6 | Zimbabwe | Port of Spain | 2010 |
| Dale Steyn | South Africa | 4-9 | West Indies | Gqeberha | 2007 |
| Alex Cusack | Ireland | 4-11 | West Indies | Kingston | 2014 |
| Ajantha Mendis | Sri Lanka | 4-12 | West Indies | Colombo (RPS) | 2012 |
| Lockie Ferguson | New Zealand | 4-12 | Australia | Auckland | 2024 |
Best T20I bowling figures for India, full list
Deepak Chahar owns the best bowling figures for India in a T20I. His 6-7 off 3.2 overs came against Bangladesh in 2019. The other India bowler to take a six-wicket haul was Yuzvendra Chahal against England in 2017 in Bengaluru.
Chakravarthy's 5-17 today in Gqeberha was the joint fourth-best on the list alongside Kuldeep Yadav. Notably, Kuldeep’s figures came in 2.5 overs. Chakravarthy's figures are also the joint second-best against South Africa.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep are the only India bowlers to pick up a five-for twice.
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