India might have had clinched the ODI series by defeating South Africa, but they faced a resolute host in the shortest format of the game in a three-match series, full of fresh faces, without carrying the hangover from the losses in the ODI series.
In the end, the series gave three nail-biting finishes where the two teams competed until the last bowl was bowled. It was the Indians who came out triumphant by holding their nerves and bagged the 3-match series by 2-1.
Here, we look at some of the hits from the recently concluded T20I series.
Shikhar Dhawan
Before the start of the series, much was talked about Dhawan’s strike rate in the shortest format of the game. Dhawan replied his critics in a heroic fashion as he looked to score runs at a fair clip in every outing of the series.
After scoring a matchwinning 72 at Jo’Burg, a couple of unfortunate dismissals cut his run-scoring spree short. He amassed 143 runs to score the most number of runs in the series.
Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina on him comeback trail paved the T20I revolution for India during powerplay this series. Indians were one of the bottom listed teams before the start of the series in regards to run rate during the powerplays.
Raina displayed his fearless, aggressive intent during field restrictions during all three matches of the series with scores of 15, 31, and 43, scoring at an impressive strike rate of 141. He clinched the man of the match award during the series finale for his all-round efforts.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Man of the series, Bhuvneshwar Kumar turned the tide towards India’s favour at Jo’Burg with his maiden 5-for in T20Is. Bhuvi followed it up with impressive spells at Centurion and Cape Town. He bowled the decisive final over of the series decider, keeping his cool and getting the job done for his side.
His knuckleball effected quite a following within South African cricketing pundits. Bhuvi ended up with 7 wickets in the series at an exceptional economy of 6.1 throughout. Interestingly out of the 12 overs he bowled in the series, 27 of them were dot balls (4.3 overs)
JP Duminy
After missing out at Jo’burg following a dismal ODI series, Protea captain JP Duminy resurrected his form by a couple of gems at Cape Town and Centurion. Duminy finished the job for his team with his 64 in the second game of the series.
Duminy single-handedly threatened to chase down the Indian total with another special knock of 55 in the series decider. Unfortunately, South Africa was left too much to do in the final 10 overs and his dismissal turned out to be the turning point in their chase.
Junior Dala
Rookie Junior Dala took on the responsibility of making Rohit Sharma his bunny. He dismissed Sharma in all three matches of the series. Two of them were almost identical leg-before’s in the second and third game of the series.
Dala ended up with six wickets in the series at an economy of 9.1. Interestingly, out of the 12 overs bowled in the series, Dala had 30 dot balls (5 overs). The rookie proved to be one of the major hits in series for South Africa.
Heinrich Klaasen
South Africa was struggling in the wicketkeeping batsman department with the torrid run of form of Quinton de Kock. In came Klaasen as his replacement, and the Proteans instantly found a gem.
He single-handedly chased down the Indian total at Centurion with his lightning 69 which came off just 31 balls, plundering the Indian bowlers to all part of the grounds with few unorthodox shots.
Christiaan Jonker
Jonker played perhaps the inning of the series at Cape Town with his quickfire 24-ball 49. Jonker’s power came in as a surprise package for the Indians. The Indians thought the match was over after Duminy’s dismal but Jonker had other ideas.
The boundaries he scored brought the steeping required rate down to feasible level. In the end, South Africa fell heartbreakingly close to victory out of nowhere only due to the knock from the debutant. South Africa may believe they found an International star in the making.