Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a hilarious reply when asked about India's bowling plans against in-form South Africa batter David Miller in the 2nd T20I against South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday (June 12).

During the pre-match press conference on Saturday, Bhuvneshwar remarked he would prefer if South Africa decided to bench Miller for the next match, followed by a laugh.

Miller was named Player of the Match for his scintillating knock of 64*(31) in South Africa's 212-run chase in New Delhi in the series-opener. South Africa registered their highest successful chase in T20Is with 5 balls remaining.

Bhuvneshwar said, "It is difficult (bowling to Miller). He is in such good form. Main toh chahunga South Africa unhe drop kar de par wo aisa karenge nahi (I would want South Africa to drop him but they would not do so (laughs). He batted so well in the IPL, we know his calibre. Bowling to him would be a challenge."

The 32-year-old veteran seamer, who took the early wicket of skipper Temba Bavuma on Thursday but leaked runs in the death overs admitted that India's bowling wasn't up to the mark but assured to come back better in their next game.

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"As you said, the bowling was not upto the mark in the first game so we are expecting that we bowl better in the second T20I and we are able to win to level the series. We have four games remaining in this series, we have a chance to win the series. We have to bowl better, and we need to bat in the same fashion like the previous game.

"We discussed what went wrong. It was the first game of the series, everyone is coming out the IPL and almost everyone who is in the team had a good IPL. So everyone knows what needs to be done and the things we can improve on. As a bowling unit, we had an off day and we all want to make a comeback in the second T20I," he added.

South Africa has taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

(Hindustan Times inputs)