India vs SA 2nd T20: Bhuvneshwar sets new record but spectators win second match
Team India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s valor with the ball went in vain as South Africa took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series with a four-wicket win in Cuttack on Sunday (June 12). Bhuvneshwar claimed 4/13 – the best bowling figures since a loss in a T20 International.
The India and Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer broke his own record – 3/9 against Pakistan on his T20I debut in 2012. He also became the third highest wicket-taker for India in T20I history with 63 wickets in 61 matches. He has overtaken Ravichandran Ashwin, who has taken 61 wickets in his T20I career.
Yuzvendra Chahal is still the highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is with 69 scalps. Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested for the series against South Africa, is second on the list with 62 wickets.
Bhuvneshwar struck in the first over. On the last ball of the opening over, she beat opener Reeza Hendrix as the ball hit the pads inside and then swung past the off-stump. In his second over, he brought in a smart change in pace as he bowled a knock ball to Dwayne Pretorius.
On the third ball of the sixth over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar got the wicket of Rassi van der Dussen, who scored a match-winning half-century for the Proteas in the first T20I.
Frustrated skipper Rishabh Pant made no bones about the encouraging performances of two key spinners Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal, urging them to come good after another humble surrender at the hands of South Africa in the second T20I on Sunday.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar swing king is back #Bhuvi #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/7383fHIGEN
— cricket addict (@AbdullahNeaz) June 12, 2022
While Akshar could have been given only one over in which he conceded 19 runs, Chahal was equally bad as he was dismissed for 49 in four overs. Akshar has conceded 59 runs in five overs in two matches while Chahal has conceded 75 runs in six overs.
“The spinners need to do better in the game,” Pant said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
He conceded that 148 for 6 was probably 15 runs short, despite the track being two-paced. “I think (while) batting, we were 10-15 runs short,” he said. “Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his 4/13) and all the other fast bowlers bowled very well though. In the second half we were short and things did not go our way.
“The bowlers started really well, but after 10-11 overs, we didn’t bowl well and that’s where the game changed. We thought we were going to do the same (as South African bowlers). In the last three matches, we will be looking for a win,” Pant said.
(with PTI input)