South Africa was able to end the T20I leg of their tour to India on a high as they registered a convincing win of 49 runs in the third T20I at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore on Tuesday. Bavuma admitted that they weren’t at their best with the bat in the first T20I and then could not deliver with the ball in the second game as they had conceded 237 runs.
However, the Proteas captain was delighted with the team’s overall performance in the third game. The visitors posted a par score of 227 runs on the board after Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw scored fine knocks. De Kock scored 68 runs off just 43 balls and looked at his best while Rossouw scored his maiden T20I century off just 48 balls.
Rossouw added 90 runs with Quinton de Kock and then stitched another crucial alliance of 87 runs with Tristian Stubbs to help the visitors get past the 200-run mark.
On the other hand, South Africa was also clinical with the ball. Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell provided two quick breakthroughs to push the hosts on the back foot. The game was done and dusted after India found themselves tottering at 86-5 but their lower middle order was able to get them to 178 runs.
Temba Bavuma believes this win will add a lot of confidence to the team as they weren’t at their absolute best in the first two matches.
Bavuma said in the post-match presentation, “A win like this is always good for confidence. We struggled with the bat in the first game, our bowling wasn’t best in the last game, but we were clinical today. A lot to take from this game. We didn’t turn up with the bat in the first game. In the second game, we couldn’t execute our plans. We were a lot clear in the field today, it was a lot more clinical performance today. We need the points to qualify for the World Cup (next year). Some new guys will be coming in (for the ODI series) with some fresh energy. Every game from now on is important for us.”
South Africa was finally able to come up with a collective effort and the good form of Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw, and David Miller are a big positive for the team.
The Proteas will now take on India in the first T20I on Thursday.
