Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India on Wednesday suffered a 31 run defeat in the 1st ODI on the hands of a resilient South African team led by Temba Bavuma. The Proteas posted a score of 296/4 batting first, after winning the toss, courtesy of centuries from Rassie Van der Dussen and the skipper himself and restricted their opponents to a score of 265/8 to take a 1-0 lead in the 3 match ODI series.
Team India covered the quota of the full 50 overs with five bowlers and Venkatesh Iyer who was called as an all-rounder into the squad as a replacement of Hardik Pandya, didn’t bowl a single over which gave rise to many speculations for his responsibility as Team India’s no 6.
Shikhar Dhawan after the match in a virtual press conference spoke on the decision to not bowl Iyer throughout the first ODI.
“Venkatesh Iyer was not brought on as there was turn on the wicket and the spinners were doing well. Fast bowlers were not used much in the middle, and the spinners were employed.
“This (discussion) we have that play according to the situation and what the situation demands, keep the team ahead and an individual’s game is important,” said Dhawan in the post match presser.”
“But at the same time be practical, how can you mould your game, so that when a partnership is needed, then it is necessary, all those things and I feel these gets refined with experience and time,” noted the Delhi batter.
On being asked about how the middle order problems can be rectified he said, “See our thought process as a unit or a team is that we are building our team for 2023 World Cup, so there are going to be few hiccups here and there, which is fine and we as a team analyze how we can get better.”