5 Proteas Players with Mastery in Indian conditions

Indian pitches are considered a bit challenging due to the uneven bounce. Despite this, some overseas players show no effect of the tough Indian conditions due to their great experience from IPL. The South African players have made clever use of this league to understand the Indian conditions quite well, which is clearly seen in the ongoing India vs South Africa T20 series. Here are the five proteas cricketers who have mastered the Indian conditions with the help of IPL.

Faf du Plessis 

One of the finest South African batter and captains we have witnessed, Faf du Plessis, has made the most from the IPL. With his ten years of experience in IPL, the former Proteas skipper has conquered the Indian conditions quite proficiently. In IPL, he had been an essential asset for CSK since his debut season in 2012. He also played for Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016 and 2017. After this year’s mega auction, where RCB bagged him, he was named their captain. As a batter, Faf has been pretty effective on the Indian pitches, making him dangerous for the opponents. In his IPL career of 116 matches, Faf has scored 3403 runs at an appreciable average of 34.03 and a strike rate of 130.58. He has been the best cricketer South African team has seen so far and a great captain. In his international career, Faf has scored 1528 runs in his 50 T20Is at an average of 35.53.

David Miller 

The left-handed Proteas batter made his IPL debut in 2012, and since then, he has been getting better and better like a fine wine. David Miller has now become quite familiar with the Indian challenging pitches, which has given him an advantage in his batting. In his IPL career of 10 years, Miller has played 105 matches in which he has scored 2455 runs with an average of 37.20. His experience on the Indian pitches is benefitting him now in the ongoing T20I series against India. 2022 has been undoubtedly the best season for Miller as he has scored 481 runs in this season of IPL winning the title for his team, Gujarat Titans. He has continued his form and is now performing proficiently in the India vs South Africa series. In the first match, Miller’s unbeaten knock of 64 in just 31 deliveries sailed the team towards victory in a huge runs chase of 212 runs. Due to his fabulous knock, he was named the man of the match. In the two T20s played till now, Miller has scored 79 runs and remained not out in both the innings. Looking at the stats, the Indian challenging conditions seem no difficult for the left-hander.

Anrich Nortje 

From being an ineffective bowler to becoming a terror for the opponents in IPL, Anrich Nortje has ameliorated himself appreciably. He has mastered the Indian pitches making most of them in recent times. His lightning speed, perfect line, and length, remain consistent on the Indian pitches. The right-arm pacer made his IPL debut in the 2020 season and has played 30 matches till now, in which he has clinched 43 wickets at an average of 21.3. He has been an important factor in the Delhi Capitals line-up. In the current India vs SA series, Nortje is complementing the South African bowling unit. In the first T20, Nortje managed to clinch one wicket conceding 36 runs in his four overs. While, in the second clash, Nortje claimed two wickets in return for just 23 runs proving his efficiency.

Quinton de Kock

In the past few years, de Kock’s batting has been impressing many, and the left-handed opening batter seems to get better and better in the Indian conditions. De Kock is among the few Proteas players who have built their reputations with outstanding performances. He made his IPL debut in the 2013 season, and since then, he has been mastering his performance on the Indian pitches season by season. The fifteenth edition of the league has been one of the best seasons for Quinton de Kock as he has scored 508 runs in his 15 matches with a high score of unbeaten 140, which portrays what a great form he is in! In his career of 92 IPL matches, de Kock has scored 2764 runs. Although in the ongoing series, De Kock just played one out of the two matches scoring 22 runs in 18 deliveries. His vast experience in the Indian challenging conditions cannot be denied, after all, he is one of the finest opening batters on Indian soil.

Kagiso Rabada 

Considered a Yorker specialist, Kagiso Rabada has been one of the most challenging bowlers for batters in IPL. He has molded himself finely on the Indian soil, which has been seen for many years. Rabada has mastered the Indian pitches and has turned out to be a big obstacle for the opponents with his deadly deliveries. He made his IPL debut in the 2017 season and has played 63 matches bagging 99 wickets under his belt. He has been a prime bowler for his franchise since his debut season. For his international team, he is also making most of his experience in the Indian conditions. However, in the first match, Rabada turned out quote ineffective as he failed to cliche any wicket. Although in the second match, he showed what he is known for. Rabada clinched one wicket in this match, conceding just 15 runs in his four overs, collapsing the Indian batting line-up.