In a game that had everything from snakes, non-operational floodlight, and some insanely outrageous batting, India finally emerged victorious and in the process, won a series against the Proteas for the very first time on Indian soil. After being put in to bat, team India unleashed absolute mayhem, with Kl Rahul leading the charge, followed by SKY, Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik, taking the total to a mammoth 237-3.
In return, South Africa lost their way early, but thanks to a devastating onslaught by Miller, who scored a century, South Africa did get close, but not close enough, ending at 221-3, ensuring that India won by 16 runs.
Here are the talking points from the 2nd T20I win vs South Africa-
1. Questions on Guwahati as the venue for the 2nd T20I
When it was announced that Guwahati would be hosting an international game for the first time in 34 months, the excitement was palpable in the fans and people alike. They would have an opportunity to witness their idols up, close and personal, and bear witness to some good cricket. While the cricket on the pitch was right up to the mark, the same could not be said for the management and further facilities that should be of paramount importance in a stadium.
There were a couple of times that the game was stopped, and the first one was a rather dangerous one. A snake somehow made its way onto the field and was just striking distance away from South Africa bowler Wayne Parnell. While it was removed quickly, it was not something that stadium authorities would have wanted to see. And just when it felt like the game would carry on, the game stopped for a second time- due to malfunction in one of the floodlights. For a stadium that has got the opportunity to host, and who is looking for more opportunities to keep international matches, to have floodlight failures in the current age will definitely not have you in a good light.
2. Kl Rahul steps up
After a raft of criticism and questions arising out of the first game on the performance of opener and Vice-captain Kl Rahul, coupled with his seeming inability to not play aggressively right from the outset, Rahul needed a statement performance last night. He was very edgy in the first game, struggling against the movement and not able to read the ball well, which made for some rather tetchy moments on the pitch.
But yesterday, there was no such issue. Right from the first ball, Rahul made his intentions clear by smashing the very first ball of the innings for a boundary. However, it was that backfoot punch against Parnell that showed Rahul in something that resembles his flamboyant best. From there on it was a show, with him pulling out those nonchalant flicks and his dazzling stroke play. By the time he was dismissed, he had laid down a perfect platform for the rest to shine on.
3. How many runs will be enough?
When India scored 237 and reduced South Africa to 47-3 in the 7th over, you felt like the game was in the bag. But what you didn’t take into consideration is that our bowling attack right now is giving away runs as easily as breathing. Every single bowler bar Deepak Chahar got taken for plenty. It felt like Harshal Patel and Arshdeep Singh were trying to repay the favor of the South African pacers by bowling full-tosses themselves.
Harshal, in particular has the impression of someone who doesn’t even bother to change his length in the death overs, constantly bowling the same ball again and again. Arshdeep was no better, inspite of starting his spell with 2 wickets in his first over. The fact that South Africa ended up scoring 221 will make the Indian batters wonder as to how many runs are too many runs.
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Dilip Sarwa
7 Oct 2022wow That’s Really Great For Every Indian
Dilip Sarwa
4 Oct 2022surya is fire
what a batting performance by him great to see like, wow really amazing and superb