Rhythm and bounce. Those are the words that come to mind when we think of cricket in South Africa. However, things have been completely different in the first two T20Is of the current series. There was so much help for the spinners that India looked more at ease than the hosts.
In total, spinners from both sides have a combined total of 16 scalps and scored 6.51 per over. The fast bowlers, despite bowling almost seven more overs, are 12 at 8.58.
However, the conditions in the third T20I are expected to be different from the first two. The first two were played in coastal cities, Durban and Gqeberha, and the teams could only surpass the 150 mark once in four innings.
So what is India’s plan for Wednesday? “South Africa’s batsmen are struggling with spin,” Arshdeep said. “So the idea is to contain from the beginning and give a good platform to our spinners to attack and take wickets.”
“I don’t think we played as well as we wanted to in P.E. There were some soft layoffs where we felt like we could definitely make better decisions and execute better.
“It’s important that we look to score directly against the spinners. The same thing happens to them; they don’t want to go too full because it’s easier to play that way. They want to be shorter. It doesn’t spin much; the ball just skids.” . So they know that if they go fuller, it is easier to score. If it’s full, we can leave. If it’s short, we can be left behind.”
With the ball, South Africa’s plan looks different from India’s. Their main fast bowlers, Jansen and Gerald Coetzee, both returning from injuries, have been faster and more accurate than their Indian counterparts and will aim to attack early.
“On the Highveld the ball travels a lot further than on the coast,” Jansen said. “That’s why it’s important to take wickets at regular intervals, because it’s very difficult to restrict the scoring rate.”
Arshdeep is aware that he may have to play a key role for India. “I’m looking forward to seeing what the land here has to offer,” he said. “It all depends on the conditions, the field, the situation, whether to look for land or try to contain.
“When you play two overs at the beginning and two at the end, a lot depends on you: you can win a game or lose a game. So there is a lot of responsibility. When you play at the death, some days are good, Some days are bad. You try to stay level-headed. and not think too much. The goal is to keep things simple, not complicate them and comply with what the team requires of me.”
