The Indian team posted an under-par score of 134 runs after Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first in the third T20I at Bangalore. The hosts’ didn’t get off to an ideal start as Rohit Sharma was dismissed early. Beuran Hendricks continued his good show against India’s captain and got Rohit’s wicket for the third time.
On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan looked in good touch and scored a fine knock of 36 runs from 25 balls. However, the southpaw batsman could not once again convert his start into a big score. The left-hander could not get to the pitch off the ball to Tabraiz Shamsi and miscued his shot to hold out at cover to Temba Bavuma.
Read More: India vs South Africa – 3rd T20I, Bangalore – Toss Report
South Africa was right on the money.
Virat Kohli generally hits the ball down the ground in the initial phase of his innings. However, the Indian captain had a plan B which didn’t work out. Kohli took on the attack against his nemesis Kagiso Rabada but only got the elevation and not the timing right.
Subsequently, Rishabh Pant also came up with a different plan after getting criticized recently. Pant took his time to get his eye in but could not get the timing right when he went for the big shot against Bjorn Fortuin.
The southpaw spinner also bamboozled Shreyas Iyer who danced down the track to be stumped by Quinton de Kock. Thus, South Africa had their noses ahead as Fortuin bowled a double strike over.
Read More: Twitter Reacts As South Africa Level The Series Against India
Consequently, the onus was on Pandya brothers to take India to a par score. However, Beuran Hendricks nipped in the bud as Krunal Pandya was dismissed cheaply for four runs. Furthermore, Hardik Pandya also could not get going. Ravindra Jadeja added the finishing touches as he scored 19 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted to India’s innings:
https://twitter.com/hershybru/status/1175789811279507459?s=20
has pant displaced rohit sharma as twitter's favourite son yet? #INDvSA
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) September 22, 2019
India need a big finish to justify batting first. Not enough at this stage
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 22, 2019
Super opportunity for Rishabh, hope he encashes it #INDvSA
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) September 22, 2019
This is not a 200 deck. India will do well to get 150. Might be a winning score if they bowl well.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 22, 2019
Take out India's top order and see how the middle and lower order respond. And this is a very average SA side #INDvSA
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) September 22, 2019
Very impressive by India to choose to bat and try to go out of their comfort zone and look to master aspects they were not good at. Setting a total and leveraging a long batting line up is one challenge they are addressing. #INDvSA
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) September 22, 2019
Said it earlier in the pre match show doesn’t look usual Chinnaswamy pitch of 200 … #INDvSA
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 22, 2019
Hardik's learnt very, very well from the Champions Trophy final. No running to Jadeja's whims.#INDvSA #INDvsSA
— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) September 22, 2019
Sir rising to the occasion!
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) September 22, 2019
"Pant during IPL vs when he plays for india" #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/KVX5KTh0EA
— Tweet Chor? (@Pagal_aurat) September 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/YashR06/status/1175787900824244224?s=20
https://twitter.com/sudhanshu25_/status/1175787845740462080?s=20
Indian team optimising their batting depth. ?#INDvSA
— Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) September 22, 2019
Balls today to Hardik's Power hitting zone:- #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/5Xzuz9RdK9
— #IStandWithZubair. (@Devastated_Soul) September 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/vskutwal/status/1175787381598720000?s=20