India will rue the fact that they lost the game from a position of absolute strength in the first T20I. Their loss to South Africa was their sixth consecutive loss against the Proteas across formats. This 5-match series is a start to India’s buildup towards the 2022 World Cup. India has not defeated South Africa in a bilateral series at home. The objective of a series win will be a good starting point for the team to start prepping for the country. Here in this article, we talk about the areas India Need To Improve In The 2nd T20I.
We look at a few areas where India Need To Improve In The 2nd T20I:
#1 Intent right throughout
The new-look Indian top-order did most things right in the first game of the series. Openers Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad started off on a positive note. Kishan especially scored briskly in the second half of his innings. His 48-balls 76 set up a nice platform for the rest of the batting lineup.
India was 137 at the end of 13 overs with the loss of just two wickets. But they ended up scoring 74 off the last 7. Ideally, India should have got 230 from that position. The ploy of playing out a couple of overs backfired. India should aim to go for the kill every ball.
#2 Picking wickets in the middle overs
India had dented South Africa with a couple of early wickets. It seemed as if India had a major foothold in the game. But David Miller and Rassie Van Dersie had some other ideas. They build through the middle overs taking the game deep. David Miller took the attack to the Indian bowling attack. He smashed a 22-ball 50. His free-flowing knock helped RVD to ease into the innings. He came into his own in the slog overs. It was India’s inability to pick wickets in the middle overs that cost them the game.
#3 Optimal utilization of resources
Yuzvendra Chahal was in brilliant wicket-taking form in the recently concluded IPL. He finished with the most number of wickets. Chahal was India’s biggest trump card who could pick wickets to halt South Africa’s charge. But he was not utilized well in the first game. He bowled a mere two overs until the final one. The Proteas batsmen who are susceptible to wrist spin were lucky to not face enough of him.
#4 What is the road ahead?
India will do well to avoid such mistakes in the coming games. If they are able to tick off these boxes, they will stand a chance to pocket a maiden T20 series win over South Africa at home.
