South Africa defeated India by 3 wickets in the second T20I of the four-match series. Chasing 125 runs, the Proteas were in big trouble with 86/7 at one stage, but Tristan Stubbs (47 not out) and Gerald Coetzee (19 not out) didn’t allow the rivals to register another victory.
Former India players Aakash Chopra and Parthiv Patel called out Suryakumar Yadav for his blunder, which played a role in the team’s defeat. Varun Chakravarthy took five wickets, including the prize scalps of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, to put the Men in Blue in the driving seat. Ravi Bishnoi dismissed one batter.
Despite spinners doing well, Axar Patel, the third spinner, was given just one over. In the opening game, the all-rounder had bowled just 6 balls in Durban.
“I don’t understand why Axar Patel was not used for a few more overs. Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi did well, but Suryakumar Yadav didn’t go back to Axar. When you are playing an extra spinner, you must give him more overs. Axar is a good bowler,” Aakash Chopra said.
Parthiv Patel highlighted the same mistake. “Aakash was spot on. Axar is a wicket-taking bowler. If you are playing him, you must use him. It is better to include an extra batter if you are going to give Axar just one over.
“South Africa were struggling against the spinners, but the moment fast bowlers came, Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee were able to score freely. It would have been nice if Suryakumar had brought on Axar in the final phase. You need to take a gamble in T20Is,” Parthiv Patel said.
India won the first match by 61 runs in Durban.