New Delhi

India defeated South Africa by 82 runs in the fourth T-20 match of the five match series in Rajkot on Friday. With this win the series is level two matches a piece. 

Riding on some scintillating performances by Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya and Avesh Khan, India handed out one of the biggest defeats to the Proteas in this format of the game. 

Chasing 170, the Temba Bavuma side was bowled out for a paltry 87, their lowest total in a T-20 international. 

Dinesh Karthik finally got his first half-century in this format for India, 16 years after he made his debut for the country in 2006, which incidentally was also India's first ever T-20 match. Karthik reached the milestone in the final over of the innings before departing for a 27 ball 55. He and Pandya had a 65 run partnership off just 33 balls to rescue India from 81 for 4 in the 13th over to set a target of 170. India scored 73 runs in the last five overs. 

Chasing 170, South Africa never looked to comfortable against onslaught unleashed by the Indian bowlers. Avesh Khan finished with a career-best figures of 4 for 18 in his 4 overs.

Dinesh Karthik was adjudged the man of the match

The two teams now move to Bengluru for the decider of the series on Sunday.