SA vs IND: ‘Losing wickets in cluster cost us first ODI’ says Shikhar Dhawan;
SA vs IND: Shikhar Dhawan, India’s opening batsman, said that losing wickets in a row cost team the first ODI against South Africa.
South Africa defeated India by 31 runs in the opening ODI of the three-match series. With the hundreds from Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen. And a spirited bowling performance. Only Shikhar Dhawan (79), Shardul Thakur (50*). And Virat Kohli (51) got going with the bat for India, and the rest of the team struggled.
“We advise the young guys to play according to the situation. And one must keep the team ahead. Partnerships are important and I am sure the guys will keep learning with experience. We had a good start, the wicket was slow and it was offering a bit of turn,” said Dhawan during a virtual press conference.
SA vs IND: Kohli overtakes Tendulkar to become India’s highest run-getter in away ODIs;
“When you are chasing 300 and you are coming in. You cannot go after the ball immediately, it is not easy. When we lost wickets in a cluster, it impacted us in the game. I just thought about playing to the merit of the ball. It was not a typical South African wicket, when I got the flow. I just looked to carry on with that,” he added.
As South Africa reached 296/4 earlier, Rassie van der Dussen (129*) and Temba Bavuma (110) were the bright lights with the bat. Bavuma and van der Dussen put on a 204-run fourth-wicket stand, the second-highest by a South African duo in one-day internationals against India.
When asked why Venkatesh Iyer was not used as the sixth bowling option, Dhawan said: “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.”
“The talks are always there, I just know how to give my best. I know that with my experience and with my self-confidence, I will do and I am happy that I did well today,” he added.
When asked about his mental preparation before any series, Dhawan said: “I do not listen to the media or watch the news, that way I do not take any information. I have confidence in my abilities and I stay quite calm. This is a part and parcel of the game. That only makes me stronger.”