Tazmin Brits notched up her second consecutive half-century as the Proteas Women set India a competitive score in the second T20 International before the match was abandoned due to persistent rain in Chennai on Sunday.

Brits recorded a 39-ball 52, dispatching six fours and one six, to help propel South Africa to 177/6 in 20 overs, aptly supported by Anneke Bosch’s 40 off 32 balls.

Following a rain-delayed start to the game, the inclement weather returned towards the end of the first innings. Constant showers during the innings break then led to the match being declared a no result, leaving the visitors with a 1-0 lead heading into the third and final T20I.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat for the second game in a row, openers Brits and Laura Wolvaardt (22) made a bright start at the crease, racing to 43/0 after four overs before Wolvaardt saw her cut shot caught at point by Radha Yadav off the bowling of Pooja Vastrakar (2/37).

Despite the loss of Wolvaardt, Brits teamed up with Marizanne Kapp (20) to add a further 32 runs to the scoreboard before Kapp was dismissed by Deepti Sharma (2/20), leaving the Proteas Women at 75/2 in the ninth over. With Bosch joining Brits in the middle, the former North West Dragons duo combined effectively to take South Africa into triple figures prior to Brits raising her bat in signature fashion for her 11th T20I fifty, coming off just 36 deliveries.

The third-wicket stand, worth 38 runs, was ended in the 14th over as Sharma picked up her second scalp of the game through the stumping of Brits by wicketkeeper Uma Chetry, with South Africa on 113/3.

After Brits' departure, Bosch took on the responsibility of anchoring the innings. She found willing partners in Chloé Tryon (12) and Nadine de Klerk (14) to take the Proteas past the 150-run mark. However, two wickets in two balls in the 19th and 20th over left the away side at 164/6.

With five balls remaining in the innings, young all-rounder Annerie Dercksen (12*) produced three boundaries in three balls to launch the Proteas Women to a commanding total of 177/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

Following a lengthy delay during the interval due to rain, both sides eventually shook hands to mark the end of the game.

The third T20I is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at 15:30.