Rishabh Pant said that his bowlers couldn’t quite execute their plans to perfection after South Africa successfully chased down India’s 211/4 in the first of five T20Is in Delhi on June 9.
The Men in Blue set South Africa a daunting 212-run target, with each of their top-five making solid contributions. Ishan Kishan led the onslaught with a 48-ball 76 before skipper Rishabh Pant (29 off 16) and Hardik Pandya (31* off 12) ensured a strong finish.
The hosts had the Proteas 92/3 by the end of the 11th over, with the required rate having crossed 13 and Rassie van der Dussen struggling for his timing.
However, David Miller kept the visitors in the hunt with timely boundaries before Dussen unleashed himself in the game’s final passage. The duo put on an unbeaten 131-run stand for the third wicket to help Proteas register their highest-ever run-chase.
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While Pant noted that batting got easier in the game’s second half, he remarked that his bowlers could’ve executed their plans better.
“We had enough on the board, but I think we were a little off with the execution. But sometimes you got to give credit to the opposition. Miller and RvD batted well. Slower balls were working when we batted, but the wicket got better in the second innings.
Mostly we executed our plans (to Miller) but the wicket got better and better. We were very happy with the total but next time we are in a similar situation we will do better,”
he told host broadcasters in the post-match interview.
Meanwhile, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma lauded Miller and van der Dussen, but asked for his batters for a better showing against spin through the middle overs.
“David carried his form and was well supported by Rassie. Just need to build from this performance. It was a good wicket, probably we can read the situation a bit better, especially the spinners. I am being overly critical because the pitch was good. We will take that result,”
Bavuma said.
The second match of the series will be played in Cuttack on June 12.
