India skipper KL Rahul has urged his players to trust their individual game plans while playing as a team following their second ODI loss to South Africa on December 19.
South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to field first, a decision that proved advantageous as India was restricted to 211 runs. Despite half-centuries from opener Sai Sudharsan and skipper KL Rahul, the Indian batting lineup crumbled under the pace attack led by Nandre Burger, who claimed three wickets.
SA vs IND 2nd ODI: Scorecard
Chasing a modest target of 212, South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi shone with an unbeaten 119, guiding his team to a comfortable eight-wicket victory alongside contributions from Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen. This win allowed South Africa to level the series 1-1, setting up a decisive encounter for the final match.
Speaking after the loss at the post-match presentation, Rahul said that he would have wanted to win the toss as there were some assistance for the bowlers. The Indian skipper also rued the failure to convert the starts he and Sai got during the match.
“Probably win the toss. Could have started there. But there was some assistance for the bowlers in the first half. But Sai and me got starts and we could have pounced on the opportunity and score big to take the total above 250.”
“When we batted, we thought close to 250 would have bee good. So that’s what we were hoping for. But we lost wickets at regular intervals and they got help from the surface,” said Rahul.
Rahul went on to say that the players need to believe in their individual game plans as there is no right or wrong in cricket. The Indian skipper also expressed his disappointment in the dropped catch early on. Rahul said that he wants the team refocus and leave behind the loss and focus on the next one.
“I guess each individual’s game plan varies. You have to trust that when playing as a team. There is no right or wrong in cricket. You try to do the job for the team when playing and give them confidence which will help them become good cricketer.”
“There was some help for the bowlers. We got one catch but we failed to hold onto it. We could have held it but I guess there was more help in the first half.”
“It’s the same thing. We leave whatever happens on the ground and focus on the next match and try and win it,” said Rahul.
