India vs South Africa 1st T20I: Rassi van der Dussen explains how IPL helped Proteas win
South Africa defeated India by 7 wickets in the first T20I of the 5-match series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday (June 9). Proteas batsmen David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen took control of the Indian bowling attack chasing 212 runs. Van der Dussen hit 75* off 46 balls while David Miller scored 64* off 31 balls to propel the Proteas to a historic run chase.
Rassie van der Dussen said, “I have watched too many IPL games, I haven’t got much chance to play, (I) had a pretty good idea of what their bowlers would do and the conditions (at hand).” Post-match press conference The 33-year-old was part of the Rajasthan Royals squad this year and featured in three matches for the Sanju Samson-led side.
“I spent two months here, being in the conditions, being in the heat, so I adapted to that and that goes for everyone. We had a lot of guys in the IPL this year and that helped us adapt in the first game . . quickly and get on the line,” he said.
Furthermore, van der Dussen heaped praise on David Miller, saying that the in-form left-hander helped ease the pressure on him after a slow start. Miller completely dominated the Indian bowlers as he did well with Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022. He dodged the Indian spinners, especially Axar Patel, and ended his innings with a scintillating 64 not out in just 31 balls.
Rassie van der Dussen → 75* off 46 balls
David Miller → 64* off 31 balls
How cool were these two?! #INDvSA | https://t.co/EAEI2MRCT2 pic.twitter.com/BJiMOITS0o
— ICC (@ICC) June 9, 2022
“David brought his form into the game straight from the IPL. He put the bowlers under pressure from the start,” van der Dussen said.
“He played a brilliant knock and also helped me get out of that tough phase of my innings. Once he hit six consecutive sixes, our pace changed,” he added.
South Africa have taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
(with ANI inputs)