IND VS SA T20I

The Indian players line up in front of the cameras with the trophy. India take the T20I series. They will look to keep the momentum as they go in the ODI series. The first match is on 6th October at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). Do join us early for the build up. Cheers!

Rohit Sharma, the skipper of India says that as a team no matter what happens with the result they would always try to get better as a team. Adds that other teams are challenging and one needs to find the answers all the time and jokingly adds that Sky’s form is a bit of concern. Mentions that on a serious note they need to work on their bowling department and says that they are working towards it. Tells that guys need a lot more clarity and it is his job to provide that. Mentions that a lot of the guys haven’t been to Australia before and adds that’s why they wanted to go first and adjust to the pace in Perth. Tells that they will play practice games there and that will help them and adds that they are trying to improve and it is an ongoing process. Says that Bumrah is a big miss and they have a couple of guys in reckoning who can replace him and hopes that they will do well in Australia.

Suryakumar Yadav wins the Player of the Series award for his scintillating batting performance. He says that he does not follow stats personally but his friends keep sending him the stats on WhatsApp. Tells that his thought process was the same in this game and he just wanted to build partnerships but it did not work out in this game. Says that he was demoted down the order because Dinesh Karthik needed to spend some time in the middle and he praises Dinesh Karthik as well for the way he played. Tells that he has not thought about Australia much but he is looking forward to the challenge.

Rilee Rossouw wins the Player of the Match award for his wonderful century. He says that every cricketer goes through bad form and he adds that he knew that something special was coming up. Tells that De Kock backed him and told him that he will score runs in this game. Mentions that it is special to score runs against India in front of a packed crowd and he is happy with his performance. Tells that he is glad to score runs.

Temba Bavuma, the skipper of South Africa says that a win like this is big for their confidence. Tells that in the first game, batting was not upto the mark and in the second game, the bowling did not do well but says that in this game they were a lot more clinical. Mentions that the ODI series is important for them as they need points from that series and says that it is an opportunity for guys who will come with fresh energy to show their worth and also to build towards the World Cup in Australia.

Rahul Dravid, the Head Coach of India says that they are happy to get the right results in both the series after Asia Cup. Adds that in this format, one needs a bit of luck and it did not go their way in Asia Cup but against Australia, it went well and says that they are happy with the way they played. Tells that in the whole year they batted quite well and made a conscious effort to bat positively after the last World Cup.  Bumrah is a terrific player for India but it is an opportunity for other players to stand up but adds that they will surely miss him. Mentions that this game was an opportunity to give some guys who did not get to bat much earlier and says that it is pleasing to see Karthik and Pant batting well. Says that he was happy with the way they kept playing positive cricket till the end.  Tells that they gonna do their best in the World Cup and they have prepared well. Adds that in a tournament like World Cup, one needs some luck along with playing well and he hopes that they do well. Tells that they get good support they go in the world and they will try to do their best in the World Cup as well.

...The Presentation...

India on the other hand, just could not get going. Dinesh Karthik played brilliantly but could not kick on. They needed a big stand or someone to score a big score but that did not happen. In the end they went down by a huge margin despite the knock from Deepak Chahar at the back end.

All of their bowlers got a wicket at least, they did go for a few runs but the key was picking wickets which they did. Dwaine Pretorius ended with three wickets to his name.

A consolation win for South Africa but a morale boosting one. The ton from Rilee Rossouw set it up. That saw South Africa end with a massive score and then their bowlers came to the fore. They kept picking wickets despite going for runs which just made it difficult for South African to finish the game pretty early.

OUT! TAKEN! The stubborn tail end batting is finally over. Fuller ball, around off. Siraj launches it straight but does not get enough distance on it. It ges to long off where David Miller takes it. South Africa win by 49 runs.

Full, slow and outside off. Siraj has a big swing but misses.

A full ball, outside off, driven to covers for a single.

Wide! Dwaine Pretorius is struggling very much! Again this is outside off.

Wide! Alength ball, outside off. Yadav shuffles across as he looks to go big but misses.

On middle, shorter side and Siraj misses his pull.

A slower bumper, outside off. Siraj tries to dab it away but misses.