South Africa captain Temba Bavuma reacted to the Proteas losing in the third T20I in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday (June 14).
Team India shattered South Africa’s hope of clinching the series with another win in Visakhapatnam by winning the third T20I by 48 runs on Tuesday. Well, Bavuma admitted that Indian spinners put the Proteas side under pressure, as they were bowled out for 131 while chasing 180 in the third T20I match.
Bavuma said after the match: “I think that it's a bit unfair. We won the first two games quite convincingly and lost today. The team that the Indians have is not a weak one. The players have performed well in their domestic tournaments and the IPL. I don't think they have been given an opportunity just for the sake of it.”
He added, “These are quality players and for us, there is no expectancy as we know that we have to play well to win and that's what we have done in the first two games. Today, they were a much better side and we have to expect it. I don't think you guys were thinking that we are going to come here and win the series 5-0 just because all the big-name players are not there. This is a good Indian team, in my opinion.”
On what went wrong in the third match, the Proteas skipper noted: “The spinners came and put us under pressure in this game. The conditions were good for the slow bowlers and the Indian spinners exploited the conditions. Look, we were unable to get any partnerships going or any momentum today. The bowlers put us under pressure and we didn't really get going. We batted really well in the series but today was an off day for the batters.”
After winning the toss, South Africa decided to bowl first as they won the first two matches while chasing, but the call proved costly for the tourists in the third match.
Speaking about the same, Bavuma said: “That's a good point but we, obviously, are trying to play with what is in front of us at the moment. You know batting second and chasing has been favorable for us as a team. If we get to Australia and if batting first is a favorable option, we might do that. But at the moment, we are trying to play according to the conditions as best as we can and look at what is best for us as a team.”
The South African skipper said that they are missing their senior opener, Quinton de Kock, against India. He said, “A guy like Quinton (de Kock) is a big player for us and plays at the top of the order but unfortunately he is not available as he is injured. We got Reeza (Hendricks) as a backup option and that's why he is getting the opportunity. We have full faith in him and are backing him.”
He continued, “This is the squad that we have had for the last two years, and obviously when the team loses there are many areas where we can point out things. Like I said at the start of the innings we are looking to get stability at the top but with Quinton not available we are not able to get it. In terms of my game and my role within the team, the guys understand it. There are a lot of powerful players around me and I try to keep it tight at the other end - that's my role. It has been successful for us and that's not going to change. We intend to keep going with it.”
On being asked will they relook at their batting strategy for the initial few overs, Bavuma said: “I don't think so. That has always been our approach and tactic as a team. In the first two overs, we generally have a look at things and then try to get some momentum in the innings and set it up for the big power players. It's a strategy that has worked well for us over the last few years.”
He signed off by saying, “I think, for one loss, it will be foolish to change our strategy. If there was dew, it really didn't affect their spinners and they bowled really well. They brought the spinners early in the innings and that made a big difference. It didn't look like there was dew but it was humid.”
(With Times of India Inputs)
