Indian opener Ishan Kishan feels they need to plan better as a bowling unit to come back stronger in the second T20I against South Africa in the ongoing five-match T20I series. India could not defend a gargantuan total of 211 runs, which was their highest ever while playing against the Proteas.
South Africa went on to win by seven wickets after David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen scored fine knocks to get their team over the line.
Meanwhile, Indian bowlers just could not stem the flow of runs towards the end. South Africa promoted Dwaine Pretorius as a pinch-hitter and he did his job as he scored 29 off just 13 balls.
The tourists scored 61 runs in the PowerPlay overs, 10 more than India managed in their batting innings. In fact, South Africa could only manage 25 runs between overs 6 and 10 but Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller were able to turn the tables in the end.
Miller scored 64 runs off just 31 balls whereas van der Dussen contributed 75 runs off just 46 balls as the duo added 131 runs off just 63 balls to help their team chase down their highest T20I score and took their team to a seven-wicket victory.
All the Indian bowlers, except for Avesh Khan, conceded their runs at an economy rate of more than 10 and they could not keep Miller and van der Dussen at bay.
“It’s never one player who makes us lose the match, we need to plan a little better with the bowling department to come back stronger in the next game,” Ishan said in the post-match press conference.
“Right now Miller is in a great from. When we were batting the ball was seaming, it was gripping, there was double bounce and when they batted it was not the same way,” Ishan said about the wicket.
“We’ll plan something for these two. When Miller gets going he is very hard to stop,” he further stated.
The Indian bowlers could not execute their plans in the last 10 overs as they were not accurate in their line and length. As they could not defend a huge score of 211 runs, it will certainly dent their confidence. However, the home team will aim to bounce back stronger in the second game, which will take place at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack on Sunday.
