By: BCCI
With two back to back T20I wins under their belt, South Africa are on a high having clinched the series already with one more game to go. It was a comprehensive batting display in the 1st T20 that got them through in Dharamsala, while it was a disciplined bowling effort in Cuttack that helped them snatch a six-wicket victory. For T20 captain Faf du Plessis, the series win was a huge.
“To beat India 2-0 in India is a huge achievement and we are truly proud of that. I said before the start of the series, the way you start when you come to India is extremely important. Starting with a couple of losses, it is hard to put yourself back up. We know when India are on top they play really well. So, it was really important for us from a T20 perspective to start the tour on a winning note.”
Obviously the batting and the bowling performances were top notch in both games, but what was also impressive was the way du Plessis led the side. He was shrewd, always thinking on his feet and trying to create wicket taking opportunities all the time. Even in the 2nd T20I he rotated his bowlers frequently, something that was a definite ploy to unsettle the Indian batsmen.
“Definitely it was the plan. It was not the plan leading up to the week, but it happened through the game,” he said. “I thought of using Imran Tahir upfront. He hadn’t bowled in the power play, but I thought of changing things up. We were trying to be unpredictable. There was great variation in those first six overs, there was spin and pace, and then we got wickets. Obviously there were two key run-outs, but getting wickets upfront is key always. Our bowlers did that always. Once again it was a great bowling performance. To knock the runs off quite clinically was also important.”
Talking about captaincy, Faf also credited the IPL and his stint under MS Dhoni (playing for the Chennai Super Kings), to observe certain nuances of the game donning the captain’s hat. “I was very fortunate that I played with MS when I just started captaining. So, as a young leader you look at where you can learn from other leaders. At that time it was Dhoni there, also (Stephen) Fleming was a successful captain. You see what works for them, but more important thing is you don’t copy other leaders and try to be yourself.
“You try to learn from your mistakes, and then you come to a stage in your career where you have your own identity. MS Dhoni has got a calm demeanour on the field, has a lot of respect from his team, and has got a good cricket brain. Put all those things together, and there is a lot to learn from. I am very lucky we have got good leaders in CSK. There must be four-five captains playing in one team – Brendon McCullum, Stephen Fleming, Dwanye Bravo and myself. To have their brain trust, I am extremely lucky to be in that great position. Obviously MS leads that team, but we all give our inputs. Graeme Smith is another guy I took a lot of learning from.”
If Faf led the way with his captaincy skills, there was the comeback man Albie Morkel who stole the show with three wickets in his four overs. Albie, who was playing his first international game in 19 months said, he couldn’t have asked for a better comeback. “It was awesome,” he said. “Even two weeks ago I didn’t know what was happening on this tour. A freak accident to David Wiese gave me this opportunity. The boys welcomed me into the side very quickly. It is very satisfying. I have put in a lot of effort in the last season with Titans, my state side, without any visions of playing for South Africa. I certainly should not be saying that I should be playing. I am just happy for the opportunity. In cricket, it is tough sometimes. Today was my night; the next night will be someone else’s. I am fortunate that I got a Man of the Match award on my comeback game, and it is something I will remember forever.”
