With a 48-run triumph in the 3rd T20I at Vizag on June 14, India fought their way back into the five-match T20I series against South Africa. Defending a target of 180 on a slow track, India bowlers came through with an amazing performance, unlike their previous two outings.
The Men in Blue managed to limit the visitors to just 131 runs in 19.1 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who put up a brilliant bowling performance in the powerplay, once again got the Indian bowling going, with leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal doing the rest along with pacer Harshal Patel.
The IPL 2022 Purple Cap winner conceded a lot of runs in the previous two games, but he took advantage of the gripping and turning track in Vizag to pick up three wickets on the day.
Chahal was adjudged the player of the match for destroying the South African batting order by dismissing the likes of Dwaine Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen, and Heinrich Klassen, three of the team's most threatening batsmen at the cost of mere 20 runs in 4 overs.
IND v SA 2022: Cricket fraternity reacts as Chahal, Harshal bowl India to 48-run win in 3rd T20I
Speaking after the game, Chahal said that the pace adjustment helped him scalp those important wickets.
“I was bowling too many quick ones and quick sliders in the last game. I spoke to Paras sir and coaches about it. So I tried to bowl quick leg breaks but with a different seam position today. I want to turn and dip the ball, I couldn't do it the last time so they were able to hit through the line,” Chahal said.
Chahal added that he prepared for the sweep shots against South Africa’s batting line-up, which worked in his favor.
“I tried to get some turn and change the line of the ball. I was trying to bowl to my strengths today. When you get middle-order batsmen out in the middle overs, the pressure is on them. Batsmen try a lot of sweeps and reverse sweeps these days so we have to be prepared for that too, as bowlers. In the last game too there was some help for spinners but I didn't bowl that well. The ground is big, thankfully in Rajkot,” Chahal said with a chuckle.
India will face the Proteas at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot for the fourth match of the series, on 17 June, Friday.
(India Today inputs)
