India look to wrap T20 series against South Africa in Bengaluru

After a commanding performance in Mohali, Team India will aim to seal the three-match series when they enter the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for the third and final T20I against South Africa on Sunday.

With a washout in the first game in Dharamsala, both the teams were looking to take the upper hand and take an unassailable lead in the series in Mohali.

However, it was the Men in Blue who took command at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium and came out with a brilliant performance to secure a rather comfortable win.

Deepak Chahar and Virat Kohli turned out to be the standout performers in Mohali as India cruised to a seven-wicket win against the young Proteas side led by Quinton de Kock.

Team India ticked almost all boxes in Mohali where they first restricted the visitors to 149 and then chased down the target riding on their skipper Kohli’s unbeaten 72.

However, one area of concern — which has now been looming over the team — will be the form of wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and he will again be in focus in Bengaluru.

Pant, who has been warned by head coach Ravi Shastri and batting coach Vikram Rathour about playing careless cricket, threw away his wicket cheaply and missed out on an opportunity to showcase his talent, which everyone speaks of very highly in Mohali.

On Friday, former India captain and NCA head Rahul Dravid spent some time with the Indian players during the practice session and offered some piece of advice to all of them, especially Pant.

For the hosts, it will be a case of continuing with the performance they have been delivering in the recent times. Their batting looks in total control, so is there bowling and fielding. The Proteas were expected to have a tough time in India in the ongoing series and deputy Rassie van der Dussen has said that they are looking to learn with every outing against one of the best teams in the world.

Speaking to the media on the eve of the game, Rassie also spoke about how the likes of Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are champions and it is a challenge for the South Africans to take them on.

“Those guys are world-class players and probably the best T20 batters. Virat and Rohit are leading runs scorers and it’s a great challenge for us,” he said.

Rassie said that while the team knew that it would be tough taking on the Men in Blue, a washout in the first game didn’t help matters as they now must win the third T20I to level the series.

“We came here we knew it’s gonna be tough. India obviously is one of the strongest teams in the world and we are embracing that challenge. Unfortunately, the first game was washed due to rain. But we have got one more chance to level the series,” he said.

While the Indians have also looked to give young players a chance - with an eye on the World T20 - Rassie feels that the host bowlers have done a good job and even though they haven’t played international cricket, plying their trade in the IPL has helped them learn.

“Credit must go to the way India bowlers bowled in the final overs. We didn’t capitalise and fell 10-15 runs short, 165 would have been a nice score,” Rassie said. “They are inexperienced in terms of international cricket but we do know they have played T20 cricket, especially in their own conditions.”

While the Proteas were outplayed in the second T20I, Rassie said that the boys have learnt their lessons and will come back strongly in the last game of the series.

“Last game didn’t go well but we have learnt a lot of lessons and we are definitely better prepared for this time,” he pointed.

Indo-Asian News Service