South African batter Rassie van der Dussen said that he was happy that he executed his sweep shots to perfection against Indian spinners in the first ODI in Paarl on Wednesday (January 19). 

Rassie van der Dussen played an instrumental role in South Africa’s 31-run victory over India in the first ODI in Paarl. The right-hander came in to bat when the hosts were tumbling at 68/3. 

He along with Temba Bavuma made sure that they don’t let Indian bowlers be completely on top of them. While the skipper took a cautious approach, Van der Dussen batted aggressively and kept ticking the scorecard at a decent pace. 

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Rassie van der Dussen stitched 204 runs partnership with Temba Bavuma (110) and smashed his second ODI century to take his side to the total of 296 runs on the board. He was also awarded the Player of the Match for his unbeaten knock of 129 runs. 

Addressing the virtual press conference after the first ODI against India, Rassie van der Dussen said that with 68/3 on the board he knew he had to get his sweeps out. He remarked that he tried reverse sweeps, which helped him get off to a flyer and he tried to put pressure on Indian spinners. 

“Yeah, I think it was 68 for 3 when I came in. It was taking a bit of turn, so I knew I had to get my sweeps out. Generally, the wicket is quite slow here. I tried reverse sweeps, a few of them came off, got off to a flyer. I tried to put pressure back on the them (Indian spinners),” Rassie van der Dussen said. 

Van der Dussen said that they were high on confidence after ‘two high pressure run chases in Tests’. 

“Two high pressure run chases in the Tests meant we were quite confident as a unit. All in all, a good day for the batters,” he said. 

Van der Dussen said that they are putting in efforts so that they can dominate spin bowling. 

He remarked that in the past South African batters were known for dominating seamers but now with the help of the coaching unit they are playing well against spinners too. 

“Conditions in Paarl generally suit spinners and slower bowlers. The way we upskilled ourselves…starting from the T20s in West Indies, then the series in Sri Lanka and the T20 World Cup. Up-skilling our batters against spin.. making sure that we can dominate spin. 

“In the past SA batters were known to dominate against the seamers, now with the work put in by the coaching unit against spin bowling has helped a lot,” he said. 

Van der Dussen talked about his partnership with Temba Bavuma. He said that he always has enjoyed batting with the skipper and his running between the wickets is something he feeds off well.

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“Obviously, played with Temba for long in my career. It was very hot out there today and when he got to 70 or 80, he felt the heat a bit and he reminded me to remind him to keep the intensity up. Always enjoyed batting with him, his running between the wickets is something I feed off well,” he said. 

Rassie van der Dussen, who averages 73.62 in ODIs, said that he doesn’t pay match attention to such things as every innings is a fresh start and he is always clear about what to do when he goes to bat. 

He added that he was glad to play a match-winning innings for his side. 

“To be honest, I don’t pay too much attention to it. Like I said earlier, every innings you are starting on zero and trying to assess the match situation. In my career, I have been clear on what to do when I go into bat. 

“I am glad I was able to play a match-winning knock. It is good to start on a good note and do for the team what they expect from me,” he concluded. 

(AP inputs)