Analyzing the first T20I between India and South Africa which was played on June 9, Zaheer Khan said that Rishabh Pant made a tactical error by not allowing Yuzvendra Chahal to complete his quota of four overs.
Chahal only bowled only 2.1 overs, and Zaheer felt that’s where things went wrong for Team India, as South African batters David Miller (64*) and Rassie van der Dussen (75*) went berserk at the Indian bowlers to chase down the mammoth target of 212 runs with five balls to spare in the first T20I.
After India’s 7-wicket loss to South Africa, India’s 2011 World Cup winner believes that Chahal has the ability to come back and give the team needed breakthroughs, but Pant didn’t show faith in him and paid the price on Thursday.
Notably, Chahal conceded 26 runs in his 13 balls against the Proteas side.
Zaheer Khan told Cricbuzz: “Not using Yuzvendra Chahal's full quota of overs is definitely something that Rishabh Pant will look at and the team management will also have conversations around that. We have seen him do that. We've seen Chahal have a tough day, but he has the ability to come back and give that breakthrough.”
He admitted that Chahal proved costly earlier in the match, but Pant should have used the leg-spinner at the time when Miller and Rassie were attacking Indian pacers like beasts with the bat.
Zaheer signed off by saying, “India team had to bring the next batter in to win the game. It was a call that was in your hands. Maybe Axar Patel's last over may have given Pant the signal that spin is not an option right now. But Chahal's ability is greater than that.”
