On the eve of the second T20I against South Africa, India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar said the bowlers let stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant down in the high-scoring first T20I in Delhi on June 9.
The hosts failed to defend a massive total of 211 as the visitors rode on brutal half-centuries from Rassie van der Dussen (75* off 46 balls) and David Miller (64* off 31 balls) to get over the line with seven wickets in hand and five deliveries to spare.
"He's a young captain and it was his first match. I'm sure he will try to do better and improve as the series progresses. Generally the captain is as good as the team and it's a team effort.
"Our bowling did not go off well and let him down. If we did well then you would have hailed his decision-making skills. I'm sure he will do well," Bhuvenshwar said in a press conference on Saturday (June 11).
The veteran seamer, however, refused to read too much into their poor bowling display in the series opener and expressed confidence about a strong comeback.
"There wasn't any big discussion as anyone can have an off day. As a bowling unit, we had an off day but that's okay we just want to come back in the next match," Bhuvneshwar said.
"It was the first match of the series and everybody was coming out of the IPL, almost everyone in the team had a good IPL. Everyone knows what needs to be done and things to improve on.
"We are aware that we didn't bowl well in the first match. So we hope to improve, bowl well and level the series. We still have four matches to go, we have matches in hands to bounce back," he further stated.
In the first T20I, Team India’s pace attack featured Bhuvneshwar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan in addition to all-rounder Hardik Pandya. However, none of them failed to make a mark.
According to Bhuvneshwar, it's about taking responsibility and improving in every match ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022 later this year.
"My target is not any different. I just have to bowl in the same way as in the power play or in the death overs. Yes, in absence of them, I try to take up responsibility, focus on improving in every match before going to the T20 World Cup."
(With PTI inputs)
