Team India might have coped a heavy 9-wicket defeat in the third and final T20I against South Africa, but skipper Virat Kohli clarified that his side won’t deviate from the template of opting to bat first in the lead up to next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
Despite drafting a number of all-rounders in the playing XI to strengthen the batting line-up, India’s plan didn’t work out in Bangalore on Sunday (September 22) as the Men in Blue managed to post a paltry 134/9 in their stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, the Proteas rode on skipper Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 52-ball 79 to overhaul the target in just 16.5 overs.
“(This is) exactly what we wanted to do and that’s going to be the template we’ll follow for games we have before the World Cup (on opting to bat after winning the toss). The mindset has to be flexible and to try out things when situations are stacked against us,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
He also added that this loss was one-off where the execution wasn’t up to the mark.
“We will have games like this, where we don’t execute what we want. But as long as the intent is there to improve, we’ll be in a good zone. I think South Africa bowled well, the pitch suited them in the first innings and we weren’t able to read the tempo of the game well,” the Indian captain added.
Virat also stressed on the point that chasing is relatively easier than batting first in the shortest format. Hence, he wanted to challenge the players out of their comfort zone.
“I would say only in T20 cricket (where chasing is easier). In one-day cricket, you have time for the bowlers to comeback, but here a partnership of 40-50 can take the game away from you. One good partnership and you are under the pump even if you are defending 200,” he said.
The skipper reiterated that he would like to get the core composition ready as quickly as possible.
“The squad composition, we will try to get right as soon as we can. The guys, who have done well in the domestic circuit are getting opportunities, so it’s not like we are playing random people.
“You have to understand as well that it’s a very young side, you have to give them time as a team to come together. We batted till 9 tonight, and that’s one area we’re looking to strengthen.”
(With PTI inputs)
