Dugout News Cricket: India Vs South Africa T20 Analysis of the series

The five-match T20I series between India and South Africa ends with a trophy that both teams will share. 

South Africa chose to bowl on winning the toss as the match was reduced to 19 overs. But after bowled 3.3 over, the rain came back and did not decrease long enough for mop-up operations to dry the field, taking away even the possibility of a five-over shootout. Visitors might be more disappointed as Lungi Ngidi successfully removed both the openers within the first four overs. Whereas fans were waiting to see stellar form from Dinesh Karthik in Bengaluru stadium as they chanted 'RCB', the rain stopped the hometown hero from making it to the crease. 

Proteas dominated as Indian bowlers struggled

The series commenced with South Africa dominating right from the toss as Rishabh Pant lost all five tosses, and the team had to defend in all the matches. South Africa came with a full-strength squad and looked set to win the series because they outplayed the hosts in the first two matches in Delhi and Cuttack. Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen were explosive with their batting, whereas Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje were phenomenal with the ball.

With mainstays away, Rishabh Pant was under immense pressure as team India's captain. Ishan Kishan's attacking mindset was the most significant positive takeaway alongside Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya's finishing role. Bowlers like Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel and Harshal Patel looked to struggle on the pitches.

A fightback from the hosts

The next two matches saw the return of Indian bowlers, and it couldn't have come at a better time, with the team being on the verge of losing the series. From failing to defend totals of 212 and 149 in the first two to making a comeback and defending totals of 179 and 169, the bowling unit ruled the pitches of Visakhapatnam and Rajkot. The Proteas were plagued with injuries, but they utilised their player resources very efficiently. They give an image of a perfect all-rounding unit with their leading players fit and being part of Playing XI.

"...Came here with the full arsenal…lost a few soldiers on the way but didn't lose hope or stop fighting. Their cricket is heading in the right direction #IndvSA." tweeted Aakash Chopra.

The biggest takeaway for team India has been Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who returned in the series not with just crucial wickets but his experience to build pressure and bowl economically. The player was named player of the series, and on winning the title, he said, "Really proud. Body feels good, but I don't want to talk much about it. Just want to focus on getting back stronger physically and with my bowling. Most of the time, I bowl two at the top and two at the end. Being a senior, I also think about how to help the youngsters. I have been lucky that the captain gave me the free hand to do whatever I wanted. Pretty blessed in that way."

Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya, too, make their presence felt clearly with the finishing roles they played with top-order struggling. The only matter of concern for team India as of now is Rishabh Pant as a batter who looked to struggle in all four matches and got dismissed similarly throughout.   

Aakash Chopra on Twitter wrote, "India did well from trailing the series 0-2. Lots of credit to the team management for sticking with the same XI. Ishan-DK-Bhuvi have made this series count. Of course, Chahal and Harshal also came to their own as the series progressed. #IndvSA."

With the play abandoned, South Africa maintained its proud record of not losing a limited series on Indian soil since 2010.