Rassie van der Dussen made an unbeaten 75 runs in the opening T20I against India to help South Africa chase down 212 runs.
Rassie van der Dussen was battling as South Africa chased a daunting 212 against India in the first T20I of the five-match series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. When Shreyas Iyer dropped a catch in the 16th over of the innings, he handed him a new lease on life, and the South African never looked back. The right-handed batsman shortened his at-bats and, along with David Miller, ensured the visitors’ victory.
The batter hit Harshal Patel for 22 runs in the 17th over, swinging the game to South Africa’s advantage, as the Proteas won by seven wickets with five balls remaining.
Rassie van der Dussen remained immaculate with a score of 75 off 46 balls.
When asked about facing Harshal during a post-game press conference, Rassie van der Dussen said, “I’ve been watching him bowl in the IPL, and he’s fantastic”. He possesses an excellent slower ball. I suppose the end from which he bowled played into my hands because of the short boundary. After those first two sixes, I knew he’d have to turn to his slower ball. Then it’s just a matter of choosing one and attempting to execute it while maintaining your composure.
“It’s a ball that’s exceedingly difficult to hit”. He spends a lot of time and effort on it, and it shows it, yet he’s only human. You can bet he’ll miss at some time. “So, All you have to do as a batter is stay strong and patient while confronting those balls that he bowls so brilliantly,” he added.
Thus India’s hopes of becoming the side with the most consecutive T20I victory were dashed as Dussen and David Miller put on a 131-run fourth-wicket stand. At the start, Miller was the aggressor, with Dussen attempting to turn the stroke.
Rassie van der Dussen Explains
“I was under a little bit of pressure, but David’s IPL form really helped me out there”. So, He put the bowlers under a lot of pressure right away. He played fantastic innings just to get me through that period. “The momentum changed towards us as soon as he struck one of those sixes”. And we knew we’d get close if we continued going till the end,” Rassie van der Dussen explained.
India and South Africa will play in the second Twenty20 International on Sunday at Cuttack.
Best betting sites in India
SATBET
MYWIN11
SATSPORT
SKY EXCHANGE
SSEXCH
SAT EXCHANGE