Following the successful conclusion of the IPL 2022 series, the five-match T20 series between India and South Africa kicked off on June 9 on home soil. With a few senior players resting, including captain Rohit Sharma, India banged on with the Rishabh Pund-led players who had excelled in the recent IPL series. It was also expected that India would easily win the series as they have always been a strong team on home soil and have won nine consecutive matches in the recent 3D20 series against New Zealand, West Indies and Sri Lanka.
In the first match played in Delhi, India scored 211/4 in 20 overs. So the Indian fans, who were happy that victory was assured, were further boosted by the situation of South Africa 81/3 in the first 10 overs. But in the last 10 overs, the Indian bowlers stumbled and could not separate the duo of Dushan-Miller, who lost by 7 wickets.
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4 changes:
So South Africa, which has lost to India, who have won 9 of their last 12 home matches in a row on home soil, have challenged us to win only if we perform better without underestimating us. So let’s take a look at the 4 changes needed to see India win the 2nd match on June 12 and level the series ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia next October.
1. Use of bowlers: The way inexperienced young captain Rishabh Pund used the bowlers in the first match was completely wrong. In particular he used 5 bowlers to bowl 6 overs in Powerplay overs. Generally only 2, 3 bowlers should be used at that time. Opponents will predict in advance if all 5 bowlers will die in total. So he should not make that mistake again in the 2nd match.
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2. Sahal 4 Over: Similarly, Sahal, who took 27 wickets in the latest IPL series to win the purple cap, gave up runs in the first 2 overs and bowled the last over to him in the 3rd over after the Pundt’s victory decided that his bowling was just that.
But a bowler like Sahal, who stumbles in the beginning, has the ability to recover from it and take wickets. For example in the IPL 2022 series against Kolkata he scored 20+ runs in the first 3 overs and took a hat trick in the 4th over for a total of 5 wickets. So relying on him in the 2nd match Rishabh Pund should give 4 overs.
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3. Ravi Bisnoi: Akshar Patel, who took the wicket of Quinton de Gock in the first innings but gave up 40 runs in 4 overs, did not get a chance to bat either. Since there was no drop in India’s batting in the first match, another spinner Ravi Bishnoi could be given a chance to replace him in the next match.
Because of his recent West Indies debut, he has excelled in the IPL series as well. Also, the removal of Akshar Patel as an all-rounder will not have a big impact as Herschelle Patel and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will bat substantially in the lower middle order alongside Hardik Pandya.
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4. Umran Malik: He has been a threat in the recent IPL series and was expected to make his debut in the first match. But it would be better to give him a chance in the next match as he did not get a chance as he was a senior bowler. Because the South African batsmen will definitely stumble to face him who can throw at 150 kmph. Captain Temba Bauma openly admitted it even before the series started.
Also read: IND vs RSA: This Is Not Enough, Do It If You Have A Place In The UGO Team – Former Player Advice To Ishan Kisan
So if Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was slightly injured in the first match, is rested and given a chance to train with Hyderabad legend Dale Steyn, he will definitely perform better. So it will be possible to know whether he is eligible to play in the T20 World Cup.
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