News
23 Feb 2018, 06:56 pm
Summary
This post examines India's approach and mindset ahead of the deciding T20I in Cape Town as they seek a 2-1 series win over South Africa.
India emphasizes finishing strongly under captain Virat Kohli's exacting standards, with Suresh Raina noting management inputs and a team-wide focus on executing plans across all departments to clinch the final match and the trophy.
The author highlights South Africa’s potent chase in the second T20I—JP Duminy and Heinrich Klaasen accelerated a 189 chase with ease—and Raina attributes part of that win to dew while stressing India has adjusted plans to counter their batting threat.
Strategically, India promoted Raina to No.3 to exploit the powerplay; Raina claims early aggression in the first six overs is vital in T20s, and his role is to play naturally to give the team brisk starts while relying on middle-order depth.
On conditions and tactics, Raina estimates ~150 as a par score in Cape Town, advises assessing the pitch on match day, and underscores basic execution—watching the ball and hitting in the right directions—to improve India’s chances.
It has been two months since India arrived here in Cape Town, a place where they started off their long South African tour. After three Test matches, 6 One-Day Internationals and two T20Is, India will now look to end the series on a high and go back home with a 2-1 series wrap. With the T20I series leveled 1-1 and both sides looking eager for a win, Suresh Raina expected the last T20I in Cape Town to be a closely fought contest. “We have to finish really well,” Raina said. “Our captain Virat Kohli is such that he doesn’t take anything for granted and that will be our approach in the final. Inputs have been given to everyone in the team by the team management and we need to go out there and enjoy ourselves. We need to do well in all the departments tomorrow and we will look for a win.” Raina also applauded South Africa’s efforts in the second T20I wherein they chased 189 with 8 balls to spare. JP Duminy and Heinrich Klaasen blew away the target with ease and India were vary of South Africa’s batting exploits. “They played really well in the previous game. JP Duminy took up the responsibility and finished well for the side. Klaasen was great too, but the dew made a lot of difference. We know what we have to do and have our plans in place. It is going to be an exciting game tomorrow. Hopefully we can enjoy ourselves and get the trophy home.” On India’s batting front, Raina has been promoted at No.3 ahead of captain ViratKohli. Raina has got off to decent starts in both games and helped the team to get off to a flier. This according to the left-handed batsman was a strategy by the team to go big in the first six overs of the game. “Virathas showed that faith in mein the last two games and we have been able to dominate their bowlers in the first six overs. In T20Is it is really important to start well. You have to play your shots at the top of the order. The first six overs are crucial. When you have batting depth in the middle-order, you need to take your chance. I have been asked to play my natural game and will continue to look to give good starts for the team.” Raina didn’t delve too much into team combinations when asked but reckoned it will be an exciting game come Saturday. “I think 150 is the average total in Cape Town. We will go tomorrow and have a look at the pitch and then take it from there. We will look to watch the ball and hit in the right directions. I am sure we will do well.”
