Even after posting a colossal total in the first T20I against South Africa, India suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday. India scored 211 runs in the first innings on the back of brilliant batting from Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya. India looked in total control as the Proteas were reduced to 81/3 in the 9th over. However, the bowlers failed to stop the South African batsman as Rassi van der Dussen and David Miller helped the visitors take a 1-0 lead in the series.
He is from 1st T20I.
South Africa won by 7 wickets and took a 1–0 lead in the 5-match series. #TeamIndia would like to make a comeback in the second T20I.
Scorecard – https://t.co/YOoyTQmu1p #INDvSA @Paytm pic.twitter.com/1raHnQf4rm
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 9, 2022
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that there is a lack of diversity in the spin bowling department in India which has cost us the game. Kaif also questioned the absence of off-spinner R Ashwin from the Indian team. “India and South Africa both have a great team. But the Indian team has Chahal, Bishnoi and Axar. Where will you play three leg-spinners? If you look at the balance of the team, how can you play three leg-spinners in the team? I was somewhat disappointed to see R Ashwin not named. He was part of the squad in the 2021 T20 World Cup and his current form is fantastic,” Kaif said in an interview with Sportskeeda.
“In place of three leg-spinners, if you had played Ashwin except for one of them, there would have been a variation. The captain would have had that option. He is bowling and batting really well. On that front, I guess what? Is there a role for three leg-spinners?” Kaif added.
R Ashwin had a great IPL 2022 where he batted higher up the order and picked up some important wickets while playing for Rajasthan Royals. Ashwin scored 191 runs in 17 matches and also took 12 wickets with his off-spin. Ashwin was selected in India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. He last played for India in the shortest format of the game against New Zealand in 2021 where he took one wicket for just 19 runs.