India were hammered by South Africa in the second T20I of the three-match series on Wednesday, December 12 at St George’s Park, Gqeberha as they lost by five wickets. Chasing a revised target of 152 in 15 overs, the Proteas almost sealed the game in the powerplay itself scoring 67 runs in the first five overs. Seamers Mohammed Siraj (1/27, 3 overs) and Arshdeep Singh were taken to the cleaners in the first two overs of the innings leaking 14 and 24 runs respectively.
The Indian bowlers struggled to bowl in the wet conditions in the second innings as they failed to grip the ball. Former India opener Gautam Gambhir wasn’t too critical of the Indian bowling in the second game and felt that if the conditions weren’t wet then they would appear a lot different.
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“I feel that Mohammed Siraj will bowl much worse than this and yet finish with better figures. I was a bit disappointed with Arshdeep because after he bowled the first over, the Powerplay was over and the ball got wet and tough to get a grip of. The 13th over which Mukesh bowled was spectacular, with pin-point yorkers with a wet ball and against a batter like David Miller. These are some big positives, and going forward, if the conditions aren’t so wet, this bowling line-up will appear a lot different,” Gambhir was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Further speaking ahead, Gambhir said that India need to find one more death bowler who can bowl with Jasprit Bumrah in the T20 World Cup 2024.
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A bilateral series 6-7 months before the World Cup doesn’t carry much relevance: Gambhir
“A bilateral series 6-7 months before the World Cup doesn’t carry much relevance. India would want to test their bowlers. You’d want to see how strong your death-overs bowling is. Who can be the one more option with Jasprit Bumrah when the T20 World Cup comes? These things need to be more carefully monitored than results,” added Gambhir.
Meanwhile, India will be eager to make a comeback in the series as they take on South Africa in the third T20I on Thursday, December 14 at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Notably, India have won three series out of four against South Africa away from home and will be eager to keep the record intact by winning the last T20I and levelling the series.