India’s death overs bowling issues is not a concern but the team does need to improve its execution at the back end of the match, said skipper Rohit Sharma on Sunday. Invited to bat, India posted a massive 237 for 3 but South Africa recovered from a disastrous start to take the game deep before eventually falling short by 16 runs as the hosts claimed their first win over the Proteas in a T20 series at home. “The team wants to play and bowl in a certain way and we want to give them that freedom. Yes, we have not really bowled well in the death in the last five or six games. But that is the area where people will challenge us and we are doing the same to the opposition as well,” Rohit said in the post-match presentation.
“To bowl and bat at the death is very tough. That is where the game is decided. I wouldn’t say it’s concerning, but it’s definitely an area we need to pick ourselves up and get our act together.”
India’s top four batters once again put on a solid display and Rohit said they would look to continue their ultra-aggressive batting approach.
“It is something that all of us came together and we said this is what we wanted to do as a team. It might not come across at times, but we want to stick to it,” he said.
“What I have seen in the last 8-10 months is individuals putting their hand up and getting the job done for the team. Guys without too much experience did this as well.”
A disappointed South Africa captain Temba Bavuma put the blame on the bowlers.
“It wasn’t our best performance, the conditions were different. We couldn’t execute out plans. Late with the bat, I thought we could have given it a good go with 220 but 240 was too high,” he said.
For South Africa, David Miller emerged as the brightest spot as he showed his big-hitting prowess with a 47-ball 106 not out which was studded with eight fours and seven sixes.
“Miller was looking good, lot of confidence to be taken from his performance. The conditions were tough, we tried to get it swinging the ball early. But when it reduced, we saw how easy it was,” the SA skipper said.
