South Africa batter Heinrich Klaasen was pleased after winning the Player of the Match award in the second T20I against India at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday (June 12), the Proteas took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after defeating the hosts by four wickets.

Klaasen smashed 81 runs off 46 balls, including seven fours and five sixes, to help his side reach the 149-run target with 10 deliveries to spare. He made batting look easy on a pitch, no other batter really looked comfortable on. He stated after the match that he has been inconsistent over the last two years, but was pleased with his performance in the second T20I.

“[On getting an idea of the surface while keeping] It always gives an indication but doesn't make it easier. I am glad the knock came against India. I hope it extends my career longer. I haven't performed well in the last couple of years. I am very happy and confident to be here,” he was quoted as saying.

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During the toss, the Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma revealed that Quinton de Kock had suffered a hand injury and that he was being replaced with Klaasen. The decision paid off handsomely as the 30-year-old registered his highest score in T20Is.

“Quinny came up to me two days back on the team bus and said he had injured his wrists. I thought he is a strong character and he would be fine. But yesterday again, he said his hand is not fine. Yesterday morning, we came to training and the coach told me I might play,” Heinrich Klaasen added.

With this defeat, the ‘Men in Blue’ will play a must-win game in the 3rd T20I of the series is scheduled to take place on Tuesday (June 14) at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

(STAR SPORTS INPUTS)