India eye T20I whitewash, Test primer

Bengaluru, September 21

Virat Kohli’s familiar exuberance and pep talks drowned the chatter around Rishabh Pant as India prepared to play South Africa in the third T20 International here tomorrow, seeking a 2-0 series verdict. 

The comprehensive seven-wicket victory in the second game, which was built on the back of a fine comeback by the bowlers and a Kohli masterclass, is history now and the team is looking for another commanding performance before the Test series gets underway. The opener in Dharamsala was washed out.

Against a fairly new-look South African side that seems to lack the resources required to counter the home team’s firepower, India will surely fancy their chances of an encore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Embattled wicketkeeper-batsman Pant could not deliver in the last match and as he continues to struggle with the bat, he remains under scrutiny.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan expressed optimism that the team management will give the youngsters a fair run to establish themselves going into next year’s World T20 in Australia. “While trying out youngsters, it is good to give them a good run because when new players come in, it takes time for them to express themselves. Young boys are taking these opportunities with both hands. I am sure the team management will give them a longer run,” Dhawan said.

Carrying on tradition

South Africa vice-captain Rassie van der Dussen said they are here to compete in the “traditional South African way” even though the team currently touring India lacks the firepower of the previous visiting outfits. “We got a young squad now but we came here to compete in the traditional South African way, try hard, play hard,” Van der Dussen said. — PTI

• 25 T20I games in hand for India before the T20 World Cup in Australia next year
• 7 Single digit scores for Rishabh Pant in his last ten T20I innings
• 3 Times Junior Dala has dismissed Rohit Sharma in three T20Is
• 384 Runs in 10 T20 innings for Quinton de Kock with two fifties and a hundred for Delhi Capitals against Royal Challengers