IND vs SA: Inability to close out games a big concern for India, feels former pacer Zaheer Khan
India Today
India lost the second T20I match of the series against South Africa, handing the visitors an early lead in the series.
Rishabh Pant-led India lost their second game in a row in the five-match T20I series between India and South Africa. Playing in Cuttack, Indian bowlers could not defend 149 runs against Heinrich Klaasen who took the Bhuvneshwar Kumar-led attack apart late in the day.
India started off well with the ball taking three wickets in the powerplay, but a steady 64-run partnership off 41 balls between Klassen and captain Temba Bavuma stabilised the innings. After the departure of Bavuma in the second ball of the 13th over, Klassen took over and guided South Africa to the win, making them early favourites to clinch the series.
Speaking about the game a concerned Zaheer Khan said that Rahul Dravid needs to have a strong word with the team and show some toughness. He argued that India are letting their guard down and not fighting till the final ball, something that has been the trademark of the team since many years.
“When the partnership was building (Klaasen-Bavuma), you could feel that the drive in the India team was going down. It was evident on the field. Those are the things Rahul Dravid and Co. need to address and do it quickly because there is only one day in between (before the 3rd T20I). They need to regroup, have some tough conversations, and identify what it is going to take for them to fight for 40 overs,” the left-arm pacer said in a discussion with Cricbuzz.
“Even in the first match, for 30 overs, you thought India were in the driver’s seat. Today again, they had the ideal start with the ball. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was outstanding, but they have not been able to close out games. Some concerns for India going forward in the series and a lot of pressure,” he further added.
Earlier in the day, India were helped by a late attacking innings from Dinesh Karthik in a tricky batting pitch at Cuttack that found Indian batters in a little bit of trouble. Karthik scored 30 runs off 21 balls to take India over to a respectable score, which, however, was chased down by SA in 18.2 overs.
India will play their next match in Vizag on 14 June.
