By: Drcricket7 Staff
Losing a T20 game after compiling 199 runs could be really bothersome. You tend to lose it in the mind, more than anywhere else. India, after losing the Dharamshala game, had faced with a similar circumstance in Cuttack on Monday evening, which saw them going down by six wickets against the formidable South Africa. Indian batsmen were in a great hurry to score while batting first and eventually lost the plot.
In the end, the Men in Blue couldn’t stage a fightback because there weren’t that many runs on the scoreboard. Their poor display helped South Africa to walk away with a series win. India still have one more match at the Eden Gardens on October 8, but it’s a dead rubber. Rather it’s fitting to say that India are only left to play for pride now.
Unlike the previous game in Dharamshala, the home team didn’t get a great start to the 2nd T20 against the Proteas. Just when the previous match hero and centurion Rohit Sharma was coming into his elements, his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan got out.
A lack of judgment while running between the wickets also saw Virat Kohli getting back into the pavilion early. Before India could recover, the third wicket fell. Rohit was run-out and within two runs, Ambati Rayudu was castled.
All hope came crashing down after captain Dhoni too got out early. Thereafter, the lower-middle order wasn’t equipped enough to keep the South African bowlers at bay. The most surprising package of the match was Albie Morkel’s bowling spell. He bowled four overs, conceded only 12 runs and took three crucial wickets to his credit. He also earned the man of the match award for his superb bowling performance.
On a pitch that was slow and conducive to those bowlers with the varieties, Morkel was at his best. He mixed his pace well and kept pushing the Indians on their back-foot. India’s most consistent bowler across all formats, R Ashwin, matched Morkel’s superlative show. And with the bat, it was again JP Dummy, who stayed till the end to round up the match in style.
Through these last two games of the T20 series, South Africa once again proved why they are one of the best international teams outside their backyard. Fortunately for India, they don’t need any comparative study to define their standard away from home. Because most of India’s international assignments will be a home.
But before the World T20 is staged at home early next year, India need to fix a few shortcomings. Starting from strengthening the lower-order batting to the bowling department, India need to focus on winning more and more T20 matches. After all, you can’t be playing the generous host all the time!
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