Rishabh Pant finally registered his first win as India captain after back-to-back defeats, as Team India defeated South Africa by 48 runs in the third T20I of the ongoing five-match T20I series on June 14.
First, India posted 179/5 on the board, riding on brilliant fifties from Ishan Kishan (54) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (57), and then successfully defended the total thanks to Harshal Patel (4/25) and Yuzvendra Chahal’s (3/20) brilliant efforts with the ball against South Africa.
After the match, former India wicket-keeper batsman, Parthiv Patel, lauded Pant's captaincy in the third T20I and said that the young skipper used his bowlers much better in the first two matches.
Parthiv Patel said on Cricbuzz: “His bowling changes were much better today. Whenever it seemed like South Africa was building a partnership, Chahal was brought into the attack. He gave Axar Patel an over today on the sticky surface as well. Rishabh Pant did many things right today and the result is evident.”
He also feels using five proper bowlers with an all-around option is a good formula to defend totals in T20 cricket.
Patel signed off by saying, “You have to take a cushion in T20 cricket in terms of the bowling attack. When these five bowlers don't work out, you have an option in the form of Hardik Pandya. That is a good sign for Indian cricket because he is such a bowler who can give 4 overs.”
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
