Graeme Smith spoke in detail about Rishabh Pant’s captaincy during the first T20I of the series between India and South Africa in Delhi. India returned to action on Thursday in the 1st T20I against South Africa, facing a seven-wicket defeat to the visitors at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
India, led by first-time captain Rishabh Pant, posted a strong total of 211/4 on the board; however, South Africa, riding on brilliant knocks from Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller, chased down the target with five balls to spare. Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith gave his opinion about 1st-time Indian skipper Rishabh Pant’s captaincy following India’s loss.
Graeme Smith Praised 1st Time Indian Skipper Rishabh Pant Despite India Ending Up On The Losing Side
Graeme Smith, who served as the captain of South Africa for over ten years between 2003-2014, insisted that he was interested to watch Rishabh Pant leading the team, particularly after his last outing as captain in the IPL 2022.
In a must-win game for Delhi Capitals against Mumbai Indians, Rishabh Pant had dropped a catch and opted out of taking a review for a caught-behind against Tim David – a decision that would eventually hurt the Delhi Capitals – as they were knocked out of the season.
“You always criticize a captain when you lose. He has to take a lot on his chin. Post his (Pant’s) last game for Delhi Capitals, which was a must-win and he made some tough calls in that match, I was very interested to watch him.
“But I think tonight, he was very good. He went to the right people at the right time. He tried to stay in the game,” Graeme Smith said, as he analyzed Rishabh Pant’s captaincy during the first T20I.
David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen showed great composure as the duo helped South Africa beat India by seven wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday. Rassie van der Dussen, who was dropped on 29 by Shreyas Iyer, scored an unbeaten 75 off 46 balls. His partner David Miller scored 64* off 31 balls. With this win, the tourists have taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Graeme Smith : Rishabh Pant Made The Right Decisions At The Right Time
Earlier in the evening, Ishan Kishan enjoyed the proceedings after a scratchy IPL as he smashed 76 off 48 to power India to 211-4. Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed on 23 (15). Shreyas Iyer scored 36 off 27 balls. Captain Rishabh Pant chipped in with a 16-ball 29, while Hardik Pandya returned unbeaten on 31 in just 12 balls. But even the 212 run target wasn’t defendable.
“When South Africa were under pressure, he went to Harshal Patel and Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar).
“All in all, he made a lot of right decisions. At times, they won’t work out because your bowlers have to deliver; you have to execute. But I think he can look back and say, ‘I made the right decisions at the right time’. I think he can gain some confidence after his outing this evening,”Graeme Smith further said.
Chasing a mammoth 212, David Miller (64 not out) and Rassie van der Dussen (75 not out)shared an unbeaten 131-run stand for the fourth wicket to take the visitors home with consummate ease. For India, Axar Patel (1/40), Bhuveneshwar Kumar (1/43), and Harshal Patel (1/43) scalped one wicket apiece.
Team India will return to action on Sunday night for the second T20I of the series in Cuttack. Earlier, skipper KL Rahul and spinner Kuldeep Yadav were ruled out due to injuries and no replacements were announced.