WATCH: Jitesh Sharma respectfully touches Harleen Deol’s feet after India’s loss in the 2nd T20I

In a memorable moment that stole the spotlight afterwards India‘s defeat in the second T20I against South Africa in Mullanpur, wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma was seen touching the Indian women’s cricketer Harleen Deol‘s feet. The gesture, caught on camera and widely shared on social media, has drawn admiration from fans who appreciated the 30-year-old’s humility and respect.

India hesitates with the bat after opting to play first

India went into the match with confidence after an impressive win in the opening match of the five-match series. However, the script changed dramatically on Wednesday night (December 11) as the hosts struggled to find rhythm both with the ball and the bat. By winning the toss and electing to play, India hoped to take advantage early, but their plans fell apart against an in-form South African batting unit.

Star pacers jasprit bumrah And Arshdeep Singh had endured an unusually bad day, taking heavy blows without making a breakthrough. Their inability to strike allowed South Africa’s top order to settle in comfortably and dictate the course of the innings.

Quinton de KockAbove all, it was unstoppable. The southpaw showed off his full range of strokes on his way to a blistering 90 off 46 deliveries, smashing five boundaries and seven towering sixes. His attack put India under immediate pressure, and the momentum only built during the death overs.

Proteas post an impressive total on the board

South Africa benefited from the strong foundation that De Kock had laid. In the closing stages of the innings Donovan Ferreira And David Miller unleashed brutal blows to propel the visitors to a formidable 213/4. Their late flourish left India with a steep chase and little room for error.

Despite brief moments of promise, India’s response never really got going. The top order failed to forge partnerships, and the required run rate continued to rise. Jitesh offered some resistance with a smooth 27 off 17 balls, but it was not enough to revive the chase. India eventually folded at 162 all out to hand South Africa a comprehensive 51-run win that leveled the series at 1-1.

Also WATCH: Jitesh Sharma channels MS Dhoni to remove Quinton de Kock at 90 with lightning strike in 2nd T20I

Jitesh Sharma’s humble act of respect for Harleen Deol is winning the internet

Amid the disappointment of the loss, Jitesh’s heartfelt gesture became the biggest talking point of the evening. After the post-match formalities, Jitesh, present at the venue, approached Harleen and respectfully touched her feet, acknowledging her status and contributions to Indian cricket. The moment, captured in a viral clip, received widespread praise as it reflects the deep-rooted culture of respect that prevails in Indian sports.

Here’s the video:

Jitesh Sharma touched Harleen Deol’s feet 🙏 pic.twitter.com/89NXxFHqL1

— VIKAS (@Vikas662005) December 12, 2025

Also WATCH: Gautam Gambhir gets furious as Arshdeep Singh bowls 7 wides in one over during IND vs. SA 2nd T20I