The skipper also said that the spinners needed to perform better.
While Akshar was only handed one over, in which he went for 19 runs, Chahal’s performance was just as dismal, conceding 49 runs in four overs. Akshar has given away 59 runs in five overs across the two games, while Chahal has gone for 75 runs in six overs
"The spinners have (need) to come (perform) better into the game," Pant said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
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He further admitted that a total of 148 for 6 was probably 15 runs short.
"I think (while) batting, we were 10-15 runs short," he said.
The wicketkeeper-batter praised Bhuveneshwar Kumar and the other seamers for putting on a good show.
"Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar for his 4/13) and all other fast bowlers though bowled very well. We were short in the second half and the things did not go our way.
"The bowlers started really well, but after 10-11 overs, we did not bowl well and that's where the game changed. We thought we were going to do similar things (as the South African bowlers). In the last three matches, we will look to win," he stated.
On the back of Ishan Kishan’s 34 off 21 balls, Shreyas Iyer’s 40 off 35 balls, and the man who has re-emerged as one of the best finishers in the world Dinesh Karthik’s late fireworks (30* off 21 balls), the hosts managed 148/6 in 20 overs.
Bhuvneshwar was brilliant with the ball in the opening spell, taking 3 wickets in 3 overs. He ended with figures of 4/13 in his 4 overs. But the Proteas chased down the target with still 10 balls remaining thanks to Heinrich Klassen’s fiery 81 off 46 balls.
(STAR SPORTS INPUTS)