Xtra Time Web Desk : Team India on Friday lost 2nd ODI of the series against South Africa as the Proteas sealed a 7 wicket win over KL Rahul’s boys to take an unassailable & decisive 2-0 lead in the much anticipated 3 match ODI series. Having lost the first game by 31 runs, Indians were once again soundly thrashed by seven wickets after having put up a reasonably good 287 runs on the board.
Despite losing the match and the series, one positive for Team India was the batting of Rishabh Pant, as the talented southpaw smashed a quick fire 85 off 70 balls to help his team reach the score of 287 at the end of 50 overs.
And after the match, it was Pant who came to the virtual post match press conference to answer several questions.
Opening up about the game, the 24 year old said, “The track was slightly on the slower side and at the same time, we had enough runs on the board. Last match (first ODI), we chased and this match we batted first, so when they batted, the wicket was much better for batting. In the second innings, it became slower and slower as the game progressed. Today, it was the same but they batted well in middle overs that’s why they chased down the target. We didn’t get enough wickets in the middle overs,”
Pant admitted that Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram and Tabraiz Shamsi bowled better than Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal in the two games.
“I think they (SA spinners) were more consistent in their lines and lengths and they are used to playing in these conditions,” he said.
One of the biggest reasons for the defeat is lack of 50-over game time for a long duration, opined Pant.
“We are playing ODIs after a long time and lots of factors we can talk about but as a team, we are always looking to improve and hopefully, we will be able to rectify them in coming matches,”
Brushing aside queries about the poor form of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the Delhi Capitals captain added,”As a team, we are always looking to improve and I don’t think there is much concern about Bhuvi bhai’s form. Obviously, we are playing ODI after a long time so we are just getting used to the momentum, obviously disappointed after losing the series but we are looking at ways to improve.”
(News Courtesy : PTI)